Chapter: 57
They call it unique magic, but it’s really not that impressive. Any magician can create magic that didn’t exist before. This magic activates based on the individual magician’s way of manipulating mana, and only those personally taught by that magician can hope to replicate it. That’s what people refer to as unique magic.
That’s right, it’s really not just a big deal. It’s a huge deal.
If it’s the Mage Duchess’s unique magic, the value of that is dizzying. If the top wizards of the continent heard they could learn it, there’d be plenty of people crawling on all fours just to reach the Magic Tower.
Thank goodness the Principal next to me is already old enough to hold himself back; a bit younger and he would have dashed straight to Louise.
“He’s going crazy.”
And from the Principal’s reaction, it was clear. The fact that Louise could use the Mage Duchess’s unique magic was a secret even the Principal didn’t know. It was a secret that no one in this world but Louise knew. Well, no, I’m sure the Mage Duchess knows too.
“She must’ve taught her.”
Imitating unique magic developed by another isn’t an easy task. If by some slim chance someone created a similar spell through an idea of their own, it would still end up looking different depending on how they manage their mana.
But what Louise just used? There’s no mistaking it: it was definitely the Mage Duchess’s magic. I’ve instinctively recognized it countless times before. Not to mention, I double-checked it with the Principal, so I’m certain. It’s definitely the Mage Duchess’s unique magic. I can bet my resignation on it. If I’m wrong, I’ll quit!
“Do you have time?”
“Let’s go right away. I have a feeling this could take a while.”
I casually brought it up to the Principal, who nodded in return, looking somewhat dumbfounded. This was definitely a discussion we needed to have.
Before I turned to lead the way to the Principal’s office, I caught Louise’s eye still in the arena. She was smiling and waving, so I just returned her smile. Yeah, congrats on the win!
But honestly, it’d have been great if you’d won using another type of magic instead.
*
In the Principal’s office, it was just the Principal and me sitting there. Even the secretary left right after serving the tea. Any topic about the Duchess was strictly forbidden from leaking out, even the smallest details.
“Fortunately, the magic Louise used isn’t widely recognized.”
“That’s a bit of luck, I suppose.”
The Mage Duchess had a multitude of unique magics due to her insane talent. Thankfully, the spell Louise had used was one of the less recognized ones from the Mage Duchess’s repertoire. If it had been even a little more famous, the duel arena would have been turned upside down.
Still, I let out a sigh of despair. Even if it’s a blessing in disguise, the situation itself is unfortunate. After all, the seemingly harmless capybara called Louise is linked to the Duchess.
“What bad luck.”
From where I stand, the Duchess is far scarier than a powerless prince. Every duke and duchess isn’t just an ordinary person in several ways.
“We need to uncover Louise’s connection to the Duchess.”
“Don’t you think it’d be better to confirm it directly with the person involved?”
It’s evident we’re talking about Louise. I obviously don’t have the guts to ask the Mage Duchess anything directly. We were both scared about what might happen if we dared knock on her door with something trivial.
“I was under the impression that the Mage Duchess had neither children nor disciples.”
As we fell into silence, the Principal lamented. Having a student associated with the Duchess isn’t a problem in itself. After all, Marghetta, whom the Iron-blooded Duke dotes on, is currently attending the Academy. Plus, the daughter of the Invincible Duke is also a former student here.
The issue lies in the fact that we were completely in the dark until now. If we had known from the start that Louise had any connection to the Duchess, we wouldn’t have been so shocked—especially since we never imagined someone with no clear ties to the Academy would be involved.
And so the meeting ended with a mutual sigh.
“In the end, I have to ask her, don’t I?”
Now it’s up to me to ask Louise about her relationship with the Mage Duchess. I accepted this role so naturally that I only noticed it after I had already left the Principal’s office. Handling everything as smoothly as breathing. Is this what they mean by experience?
As I got closer to the club room, the noise level suggested that all the members were already gathered. At least I didn’t have to go on a wild goose chase looking for Louise.
“Ah, Advisor!”
It was slightly disappointing that Rutis was the one to greet me as I opened the door.
“Looks like everyone’s here.”
“We were planning a little celebration party! We were worried because you weren’t here, but you made it just in time!”
Scanning the club room, I noticed the oven was already whirring away. They were quite industrious when it came to cooking up their own snacks for the gathering.
“Nice work, everyone. I didn’t see the theory exam results, but at least your practical performance was impressive!”
I offered some well-deserved praises as I settled into a seat. It’s true they did really well on their practicals. Of course, the ones who really suffered were the two scapegoats and the unexpected third victim who got hit by unique magic.
“Haha, thanks! But honestly, Louise was the standout star here.”
“That’s right! She cornered her opponent using a magic we’ve never seen before!”
Now that the conversation shifted towards magic, Rutis chimed in after Lather. Yeah, of course it was something new for you! If it was something you already knew, that would be a huge issue.
“She really was incredible.”
Since the topic turned to Louise’s magic, it easily opened up a chance for me to jump in. I couldn’t just blurt out, ‘So, what’s your deal with the Mage Duchess?’ but I could approach it more subtly.
“I’m not an expert in magic, but it was certainly something unique. I’m curious where you learned it.”
I decided to take a light probe. All this time Louise had kept her unique magic hidden, maybe to keep her connection to the Duchess at bay. But today, she brought that well-kept secret to light. That allowed for a possibility that ground rules could be bent. I’d know more once I get Louise’s reply.
“I learned it from a wandering mage I met when I was young. She introduced herself as a wanderer, and we just happened to cross paths near my house.”
Wandering mage. That’s a term the Mage Duchess often used whenever she ditched her duties to roam around. I’ve heard that the magicians from the Magic Tower would come across the term multiple times during their searches for her.
“She had blue hair, like Lather. Do all blue-haired people have a knack for magic, or what?”
“That’s an intriguing theory.”
Louise chuckled, while Lather seemed delighted by it. But I couldn’t muster a smile.
“The Mage Duchess has white hair.”
If she had blue hair instead of white, that means she had to be disguised when she met Louise. In that case, Louise might not have had a clue who taught her that magic.
“Crap.”
The quest I was tangled in just took a left turn. Rather than asking Louise, I needed to inquire directly with the Mage Duchess.
While having a student of the Mage Duchess at the Academy is a headache, it’s still something I can manage. But the fact that she has a disciple while keeping her identity hidden isn’t something to be taken lightly.
A special power like that of a magician—especially one trained by the Mage Duchess—in a place where nobody’s even aware of what’s happening? There’s no assurance this won’t happen again, and it could mean that there are unknown special operatives lurking around everywhere, totally off the Empire’s radar.
“And I’m the one who has to ask about it?”
My mind went blank at the enormity of the situation. My heart races at the thought of being contacted by a Duke, and now I have to take the initiative? Not to mention, I have to say something like ‘You’ve got some sketchy stuff going on, don’t you?’ Seriously, could this get any more ridiculous?
“Maybe I should just pass this to the Special Service Agency.”
That thought crossed my mind for a fleeting moment. But after giving it more thought, it didn’t seem like such a bad idea. Matters concerning a magician and special powers are definitely under the purview of the Special Service Agency. From a broader perspective, this situation fits neatly within their jurisdiction.
That’s right. I’m under the Ministry of Finance. As a civil servant, I should stick to my responsibilities and not meddle in other people’s business. After all, there’s a reason they have specialists in the first place.
My long-awaited communication with the Executive Manager of the Special Service was a disaster.
— Have you finally lost it?
“It is related to magicians, isn’t it?”
— No, it’s not a magician matter; it’s about the Mage Duchess, so it’s better categorized accordingly. Don’t mix it up and shove it off as something weird!
The Executive Manager, who had been calmly receiving information, reacted vigorously upon realizing it involved the Mage Duchess. Given that he’s already overworked, I doubt he wanted to deal with a bomb the size of the Duchess.
But what can I do? I don’t want to deal with this either. Do they think I have time to waste?
“It’s not something we can just overlook. The Duchess’s students could be hiding everywhere.”
— I understand this is serious. But why are you bringing it to the Special Service?
“Do you have no information about it?”
— Ugh.
Hearing his reaction made me feel a bit embarrassed. I had already suspected they wouldn’t have information. The five Dukes are nobles among nobles, loyal to the Emperor. Even the Special Service Agency struggles to gather info about them without the Emperor’s explicit command.
Still, I asked, hoping the Emperor might have issued some directive concerning the Mage Duchess. But it seems he didn’t.
After several more rounds of back-and-forth, the Executive Manager reluctantly sighed and nodded.
— I understand how the Executive Manager feels. Given that the key figures at the Academy are being monitored, having the Mage Duchess involved must stretch your resources thin.
“Thank you for understanding.”
— The Special Service isn’t exactly brimming with time either. You know well that’s true, right?
“Of course.”
— Anyway, since I’m in the capital, I’ll look into it. I can’t count on someone in the provinces for help.
At long last, the Executive Manager of the Special Service understood my desperate plea and agreed to help. See? I knew I could trust him.
However, my faith was shattered the next morning the moment I checked the message on my communication crystal.
“I tried my best, but it didn’t pan out. My apologies. – Executive Manager, Special Service Agency”
At first, I was baffled about what it meant, but clarity struck when I saw the following message.
“Baby, contact me as soon as you see this.”
A brief message that didn’t even reveal the sender’s identity. Still, based on the tone and circumstances, I could easily guess who it was.
“That bastard.”
Didn’t you just say you’d look for a way?
Was your “way” really just connecting me directly with the Mage Duchess?
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