"So what are the things to watch out for?"

"The fact that the power is very strong. And that the users' mental state is abnormal. Just watch out for these two things."

"What do you mean by abnormal mental state?"

"The Hell Magic faction is a group of black magicians who aim to maximize the power of magic. They use magic by mixing specially processed mana with pure mana."

If normal mana was like regular oil, hell mana was like synthetic oil with all sorts of additives.

Originally, synthetic oil was made for stability and efficiency, but hell mana was the opposite.

The only goal they pursued was destructive power and the excessive power of hell mana caused side effects.

"Precise control is impossible, and since excessive output occurs in any situation, you can't distinguish between friend and foe."

"It's literally a walking powder keg."

"The biggest issue is that it causes mana addiction."

"Mana addiction?"

Casey wondered for a moment before clapping her hands as if she had heard of it somewhere.

"Right. I heard it's a condition where the more you abuse mana, the more you feel a strange pleasure."

Hell mana was different from pure natural mana.

It mentally stimulated the user and created addiction, making their mind stranger the more they used it.

Those intoxicated by hell mana wanted stronger mana, and they quickly broke down in that endless spiral of bondage.

"Because of its high power, even 2nd-tier magic can produce 3rd-tier power. And since it's easy to learn, in the past, quite a few magicians turned to the Hell Magic faction."

However, the addiction, dangers, and mental breakdown.

These were the reasons they were treated as black magicians.

"Being able to gain an advantage against higher-tier magicians because of strong power. They're quite dangerous."

"That's why they drove away all the people around them."

If a fight breaks out, the logistics warehouse district will be turned into ruins.

Not only their hiding place but also the surrounding area will be completely blown away.

At least this was a remote area, and most warehouses were empty or abandoned but since people occasionally passed by at night, crowd control was essential.

'To think I'd end up working with the Magic Intelligence Department.'

After mostly doing illegal work, it felt strange to be tasked with eliminating criminals in reverse.

Though he had been fighting evil people in places others couldn't see, such official work was rare.

"More than that, did you really not talk about anything with my sister?"

At Casey's question, Rudger slightly frowned.

"You're persistent. Haven't I said several times that we didn't talk about anything special?"

"Would someone who didn't talk about anything special block out the sound?"

"It wasn't me, but your sister who did that."

"You didn't refuse either."

"I thought we already talked about this part. I’m looking for a place and asked about it. I just heard the answer."

"Does my sister know where it is?"

"She said she knows."

At those words with subtle nuance, Casey couldn't help but ask.

"She knows but she won't tell you?"

"...Never mind. This isn't related to you anyway."

"Wait a minute. What do you mean it's not related? We're business partners now, aren't we?"

"Business partners?"

"We're engaged."

"Pretending to be engaged. And even if we were engaged, there's no need to tell everything, is there?"

"...Oh, is that so?"

When Rudger drew the line, Casey's expression turned cold.

Unlike the strategy she had planned beforehand, she turned her back and walked ahead alone.

Rudger asked toward Casey's retreating back.

"Where are you going?"

"Don't worry about it. We're not even really engaged, so what does it matter?"

"..."

At her voice that was clearly upset, Rudger couldn't understand why Casey was angry.

He wondered if he should chase after her and stop her, but time was already up.

The operation start time was approaching.

As if to announce this, one of the agents approached Rudger.

He was a man in his mid-twenties wearing the epaulette symbolizing the Magic Intelligence Department.

He looked quite young and had a handsome appearance.

Being affiliated with the Magic Intelligence Department at that age meant he must have considerable talent and ability.

Indeed, he seemed to take pride in his position, as his gaze toward Rudger wasn't very friendly.

He had a strange mix of wariness and irritation in his expression, it was as if he was wondering why someone like that was involved here.

"Are you ready? Where did the other person go, why are you alone?"

"It seems she wants to move separately."

When Rudger gave a vague answer, the man's expression hardened.

"Are you saying this because you don't understand the gravity of this situation? Individual action? Are you joking right now?"

Perhaps he didn't like it from the start, as the man's voice rose slightly.

"You don't need to be so harsh. She's definitely skilled."

"Ha. What good is skill? She's someone who's never received proper training even once. I didn't like it from the start when she was going around claiming to be Marias' younger sister."

Rudger shrugged his shoulders lightly.

"Well, Casey is quite willful."

"I heard she's your fiancée, but you'll regret getting involved in this with half-hearted feelings. If you want to avoid a rough time, just properly keep your position as instructed."

It seems this man thinks Rudger and Casey are arbitrarily interfering with the operation.

No, perhaps even though he heard they were external personnel directly called by Marias, he didn't accept it because accepting that would hurt his pride.

"You don't need to do anything, just stay still, just breathe and stand still. That's actually better because it won't interfere."

The man who was about to say more turned around sharply when he spotted his colleagues in the distance.

'I'm quite disliked.'

Rudger and Casey's role was to deal with the minor black magicians who try to escape.

This operation was primarily led by the Magic Intelligence Department, and they were at best supporting roles.

'Casey and I are outsiders after all. We weren't going to get a chance to shine in the first place. But even so, this treatment?'

It wasn't just the agent who showed displeasure earlier.

Other Magic Intelligence Department agents didn't look favorably upon Rudger and Casey either.

For them, this operation was about rooting out black magicians who could threaten the nation.

In this important real combat situation, a private detective who ran away from his family and his fiancée who's an academy teacher are stepping up.

Although that private detective is a magician with a Colour title, and the teacher is from Theon and a genius who created new magic.

But that's just the 'theoretical' part in the end.

Real combat had to be different.

While Rudger inwardly smiled at such evaluation, he gazed at the logistics warehouse with calm eyes.

Under the night sky, the warehouse district looked like a quiet place with no one around on the surface, but.

'It looks different like this.'

Rudger took out his monocle and put it on.

Looking through the artifact, he could see faint traces of mana flow throughout the factory.

'Judging by the size of mana, they're defensive magic and alarm magic. The real thing must be a bit further below.'

Given that there was no mana visible to the naked eye, there must be a passage connected underground below the factory.

'Then the escaping black magicians won't necessarily come to my position.'

They're obviously guarding the outside like this from the start.

Unless they're fools, they'll use escape routes prepared in advance.

But will they really run away?

These are the ones who tried to assassinate someone from the Selmore family.

Considering their reckless nature, they probably have sufficient forces preserved in preparation for this fight.

'There's also the possibility they've set traps inside.'

He wondered if he should warn them about this, but they're not fools either so they'll handle it themselves.

Then what he needs to do is simple.

'I'll deal with the black magicians in my own way.'

Because staying still like a statue doesn't suit his taste.

* * *

The operation began and the Magic Intelligence Department agents stormed into the logistics warehouse in perfect coordination.

"Detection magic neutralized."

"Defense magic neutralization in 3. 2. 1. Complete."

"Surroundings searched. Currently no enemies."

They quickly swept through the warehouse interior and confirmed no one was there but no one thought it was a waste of time.

"As expected, they're underground."

"Black magicians really like dark places."

"Stay focused. The real thing starts from down there."

They soon discovered the secret passage leading underground.

"Check equipment and reinforce protection magic. Don't hesitate to drink recovery potions if urgent."

"Yes."

"Once preparations are complete, we go in."

The agents entered the pitch-black passage and shortly after a series of violent explosions echoed from inside the passage.

"They're coming."

Caloto put down the teacup he was drinking from on the table at the vibrations felt from far away.

A dark and humid space.

While other black magicians were all busy moving around in this harsh environment, Caloto was enjoying teatime sitting in a chair.

This was a kind of habit.

Though a black magician, it was something Caloto, who wanted to live like a nobleman, could never give up.

In fact, even when he resided in Isla Machina, he stayed in quite a classical mansion for a black magician.

Though he was driven out now, maintaining appearances like this here was because he couldn't forget that lifestyle.

-Boom!

The sound of explosions was getting closer bit by bit.

As expected of Magic Intelligence Department bastards.

Even though traps were set and surprise attacks were launched, they were responding without showing signs of panic.

No one was injured, nor were they caught.

Right. They're elites after all.

"Prepare to welcome the guests."

Caloto slowly rose from his seat.

At those words, his subordinates bowed their heads before preparing to welcome the guests.

Caloto watched their appearance before leaving the place with several of his direct disciples.

"Lord Caloto. Will this be alright?"

The first disciple asked.

Right now, Caloto was retreating from the hideout, leaving his subordinates behind.

"It doesn't matter. There are plenty of replaceable ones like them anyway."

The ones left at the hideout were disposable items to be used moderately and thrown away.

Though they had no particular talent, they were puppets who followed orders well.

It was easy to create such people in droves due to the addictive nature of hell mana.

Sending them as suicide bombing units while considering the hell explosion traps set up would buy enough time.

"We can quickly fill those positions anyway. What we need to focus on now isn't that. We need to strike at their head, not the Magic Intelligence Department agents."

For that reason, they were heading to the next hideout connected to another location.

They will soon realize that hideout is a dummy and quickly chase after the real one.

Caloto planned to properly welcome them there.

Thus, Caloto walked through the dark underground passage accompanied by 5 disciples and several senior black magicians.

-Drip.

A water droplet gathered on the ceiling fell to the floor.

Caloto, who was walking in front, stopped in his tracks and raised one hand.

The black magicians following behind all stopped in place.

"I didn't expect a rat to get in so early. Faster than I thought."

"That's quite harsh."

A woman's voice came from thin air and soon Casey revealed herself as the water curtain was dispelled.

"Calling a lady a rat."

"Is that how it sounded? I meant it as a compliment though."

"As expected of a low-class black magician, your speech and behavior reeks of ignorance. You're Caloto, right?"

"And you must be Casey Selmore. The Azure Magician."

"I'm honored you know me."

"I was curious how exaggerated the rumors were."

Caloto raised the golden decorated staff in his hand.

Just as Casey was about to enter combat, Caloto lowered his staff again.

"But I'm busy right now, so I'll leave this to my disciples."

"What? Are you trying to run away?"

At the word 'run', Caloto's face distorted, but he quickly regained his composure.

Caloto had things he needed to do so he had no intention of fighting an unwanted battle in a place like this.

'Even in a narrow place, it doesn't particularly hinder my magic.'

Though not completely deep underground, if he used magic here, he could create a new field all the way to the surface.

But still, not fighting right now was because he didn't want to be swayed by the opponent's intentions.

He should be the one leading the fight, and he should be the one gaining the upper hand in this fight.

Fighting like this while moving midway wasn't even in his consideration.

Casey seemed to guess such inner thoughts of Caloto as she twisted her lips.

'Arrogance that doesn't even consider me worthy of attention right now. Seeing the hostility towards me, he must be quite a self-conscious black magician.'

Though she had no intention of letting him go, Casey had to give up that thought because Caloto's disciples immediately prepared magic targeting her.

While she was about to respond to that, Caloto quickly retreated from his position.

"Tch."

Though Casey saw Caloto and his disciples' retreating backs, she couldn't chase after him because of the green flames flying towards her.

It was flame-type magic based on hell mana.

"Colour Magician. We'll kill you here."

Caloto's direct subordinates, though not disciples, were middle-ranked members in the Hell Magic faction, and each had achieved at least 4th tier.

The number was 5 and considering they were minimum 4th tier, but their magic power exceeded 5th tier they were opponents Casey couldn't be careless about either.

Still, Casey grinned.

"Interesting. Let's see what you've got."

* * *

Caloto, leading his disciples, arrived at the hideout prepared in advance, the real hideout, different from the fake dummy.

It was the black magician's workshop containing his essence.

"Everyone prepare. Every minute and second is precious to raise hell mana above the critical point."

"Yes!"

The disciples raised their mana and prepared to activate the magic engraved in the workshop.

Then something flew from the darkness and attacked the disciples.

"What?"

Though the skilled first and second disciples somehow reacted, the three below them couldn't.

The third through fifth disciples fell to the ground spilling blood, not even knowing how they died.

Caloto's expression froze coldly.

"Who is it!"

His gaze swept around but no matter how much he looked, the enemy's figure couldn't be seen.

"Stop hiding and come out right now!"

Caloto looked around with bulging eyes, then exploded mana towards his feet.

"Here you are!"

Right after that, a shadow moved along the floor and retreated far away and from the darkness, a man suddenly rose from beneath the ground.

"You're quite quick-witted."

Rudger stared at Caloto as his blue eyes glowed in the darkness.