TL/Editor: raei

    Status: 5/week mon-fri

    Illustrations: none

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    As Ian explored the memory world, he picked up various types of magic.

    ''Oh.''

    Maronius was definitely a genius.

    Learning from him felt different than learning from Eredith somehow.

    The principles behind creating letters, reasons for deciding pronunciations, exact images that needed conveying - understanding the creator''s original intentions deepened Ian''s magical comprehension significantly.

    [You''ve understood the principles of magic creation!]

    [Learning efficiency increased for all future magic!]

    A learning speed buff.

    Ian already learned magic quickly through his status window, and now he had a buff on top of that.

    "Ah, Ian."

    "Master, you''re here?"

    Eredith came to Ian''s research room.

    "How''s the research going?"

    "Smoothly."

    Eredith smiled happily at the positive response.

    "That''s great. Since you''ve made progress, you can present next month."

    "Oh. Is it that time already?"

    Though Ian was conducting personal research, he still belonged to the university.

    He had an obligation to present his findings.

    "...Ian."

    Eredith spoke carefully.

    "At the next seminar... when you present your research results..."

    "Yes?"

    "I''d like you to also explain how you succeeded in your research."

    The fact that Ian was researching Maronius''s past was a secret known only to a few.

    Well, calling it a secret was a bit grand - Eredith just hadn''t told many people.

    The reason was simple.

    Research into Maronius''s soul had a long history, with many attempting the challenge.

    But results had been minimal.

    After all, he''d died an incredibly long time ago. Progress only came when related artifacts were excavated.

    But Ian was unearthing massive amounts of information at an incredible pace.

    Ian simply said he''d used the power of ''necromancy'', but...

    Hadn''t other necromancers tried the same research before?

    Countless attempts had been made to summon the great wizard''s soul.

    But only Ian had achieved proper results.

    Was it just overwhelming talent?

    Eredith couldn''t tell.

    She could have demanded an explanation from Ian directly, but she wanted her disciple to focus on his research.

    "I''ll do that."

    "Really?"

    "Of course I need to present my research process."

    Of course, some might find it hard to believe.

    Ian''s magic was... closer to divine arts than magic.

    Currently, the Sky God and Ice God - two supreme mysteries - were helping Ian''s magic.@@@@

    Until now, Ian hadn''t gone around announcing this.

    No need to draw attention unnecessarily. Plus it let him keep some of his power hidden.

    But when he presented his Maronius research records at the seminar, Ian''s magic would have to be revealed too.

    How people would receive it was another matter.

    "I see..."

    "Master?"

    Ian thought Eredith''s voice sounded strangely weak.

    "Ian. You''ll definitely do well."

    "...?"

    "You''ve always been like this since you were young. Whatever I taught you, you learned and mastered quickly. Honestly... you were much better than I was at your age." r?a?ο?E?S

    "Master, why suddenly..."

    Eredith smiled at Ian as if nothing was wrong.

    ...Ian felt strange.

    This wasn''t like his master at all.

    Almost like someone about to leave...

    "Work hard on your research."

    "Yes, Master."

    Eredith left after saying those words to Ian.

    Kira kept her thoughts to herself.

    Maria began assisting with the necromancy.

    "Then, let''s begin."

    Ian and Kira continued their performance.

    #

    One surprising fact.

    Maronius didn''t particularly want to see Lupus''s downfall.

    [Why not?]

    Ian asked, genuinely not understanding.

    Lupus as a general was, well, decent enough.

    No, more than decent - he was a capable imperial general.

    You could tell just from how he recognized Maronius''s talent and actively used it.

    He could have complained about wicked heretical techniques, but he didn''t - that earned him points.

    But Emperor Lupus was different.

    He was just a crazy bastard - why want to defend that?

    [He was once my hero.]

    [...]

    [I don''t want to take his life.]

    Ian was dumbfounded but nodded anyway.

    [I''ll be considerate.]

    Ian waited for the right moment, then betrayed Lupus.

    Since he was destined to be eliminated by Lupus later anyway, he needed to cut that off early.

    Betrayed by his trusted right hand, Lupus screamed in agony.

    "Demius! Even you!"

    After ousting Lupus, Ian retired to the countryside with Liria.

    Though his father and brother grabbed his coattails and begged-

    "Oh, what?"

    "Please! Don''t leave! Demius! What will we do without you!"

    "How should I know? Figure it out yourselves."

    Ian talked back rudely to his not-father.

    But surprisingly, Maronius liked it.

    [Hell yeah! Well said!]

    This guy... might unexpectedly like exile story cliche?s?

    The retired Demius enjoyed a peaceful country life.

    Still creating magic, taking disciples.

    Making babies too...

    [We''ll skip this part.]

    [?!]

    [Don''t act disappointed.]

    Unless shot in the head, this scene wasn''t getting aired.

    Ian was a wizard, not a porn actor.

    The rest of daily life was mostly peaceful.

    Though assassins sent by nobles showed up almost daily...

    [Maronius. Stop sending assassins!]

    [Hm? You''re handling them well though?]

    [...]

    Sending more because he handled them well - he wasn''t right in the head.

    This was purely imaginary, and Maronius''s imagination played a huge part.

    Maronius thought ''Ah, someone like me in retirement would surely get assassins daily!'' and actually sent assassins to Ian every day.

    Ian blocked them all.

    [Do you hate seeing yourself living well that much?]

    [...]

    Maronius held his tongue.

    By chance... Ian had hit the nail on the head.

    [Yes.]

    [...Really?]

    [Honestly, I can''t imagine myself living well.]

    Ian sighed.

    Maronius seemed to have self-hatred.

    ---

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