Chapter 62
Meleos.
He was a character I had encountered quite often in the game.
Although his actual age was in his early sixties, he looked remarkably young, likely because he was an Archmage.
At a glance, he seemed close in age to Remton.
It’s no wonder that monsters like Sword Masters and Archmages could live well into their twilight years.
Once he sat down in the seat he had gestured to, the duke began to speak.
“The magic you demonstrated today was nothing short of revolutionary. I’ve been immersed in magic for over fifty years, yet I can confidently say this is the first time I’ve seen such a magical formula. For a mere twelve-year-old to create such brilliant formulas… your potential can only be described as infinite.”
Meleos then fixed his gaze intently on me.
“To be honest, I’d like to keep you here at the ducal estate. So that we could research magic together for the rest of our lives.”
Yeah, right.
He says “research,” but it would essentially be imprisonment.
You know, like in that famous movie where the protagonist was fed dumplings for fifteen years. Except the menu would probably be better here.
The greed in the duke’s eyes was undeniable as he finished speaking.
Did he desire me that much?
In Meleos’s eyes, I must have appeared to be a once-in-a-lifetime magic prodigy, so it wasn’t entirely surprising.
Regardless,
if things went according to this old man’s desires, it would definitely be problematic for me.
Creating new magic didn’t require the duke’s support.
There was no need to lock myself up to conduct research.
“That would be difficult.”
At my response, Meleos smiled as if amused.
“I’m prepared to offer significant compensation. Your family may be quite renowned, but its reputation is limited to swordsmanship, isn’t it?”
Meeting my eyes, the duke continued.
“The support of a family specializing in magic would be beyond your imagination. I promise you my full backing.”
“I’m sorry. But surely, Your Grace knows why I participated in this competition?”
“I do. But let me ask you this: do you think your refusal carries any weight?”
Was that a threat?
His eyes, as transparent as glass, were impossible to read.
Meleos Hamilton.
Although he had dedicated his life to magic, the Archmage was also equipped with a sense of fairness and justice.
He wasn’t the type to sell his soul for magic or abandon his morals for its sake.
If he were, he wouldn’t have participated in this competition in the first place.
So.
‘It doesn’t seem like he truly intends to imprison me.’
If that wasn’t his intention, then there was only one possibility.
A test.
He might be subtly pressuring me with a veiled threat to gauge what kind of person I am.
Indeed, with the duke’s power, it would be entirely possible to keep me here by force.
Though doing so would inevitably sour relations with the Marquisate.
‘He could still do it.’
Depending on my response, the duke’s actions might change. It seemed wiser to convince him through other means rather than relying on the influence of my family, which likely wouldn’t sway him.
Looking at him with determination, I spoke with conviction.
“I don’t believe magic is born solely through intensive research. Traveling the world, seeing, and experiencing many things—that’s what I think inspires the creation of new magic.”
“Even if you research magic here, you’ll be allowed to do that. Letting you travel—how difficult would that be?”
“That kind of half-freedom isn’t what I want. Moreover… if I were confined here to research magic, could I produce new spells as quickly as I have been? I don’t think so.”
“Ho? Is that a threat?”
“You were the one who started it, Your Grace.”
Meleos and I locked eyes for a long moment.
Though the old man’s transparent eyes were quite intimidating, I had no intention of looking away.
If I were to be confined to the ducal estate, most of the plans I had painstakingly laid out would undoubtedly crumble.
Even if I followed the plan perfectly, I couldn’t be certain of stopping the villains.
Let alone if I lost my freedom and spent my life researching magic with the duke.
‘There’s no way I could stop them then.’
It would essentially mean everyone’s death.
Because I had an unyielding reason, I wasn’t about to back down, no matter what threats the duke might make.
Besides,
there was another reason I could afford to take such a firm stance.
If I continued to refuse, the duke didn’t have many options left to use against me.
Threats?
The only things that could be used to threaten me were my family or my life.
He could claim he’d destroy my family or kill me if I didn’t comply.
Those kinds of extreme threats.
But my family wasn’t just any insignificant barony—it was a prestigious household renowned for swordsmanship.
Threatening my family was out of the question.
Which meant the most he could do was threaten my life.
‘But there’s no way he’d actually kill me.’
Killing a genius magician with a bright future, someone capable of creating new formulas?
The duke, who was obsessed with magic?
‘He’s not stupid enough to do that.’
So threats wouldn’t work on me.
Was it because of my resolute attitude?
Meleos smiled, looking intrigued.
“You’re amusing.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Were you really the same troublemaker as your reputation suggests?”
“I was in the past.”
“For someone like that, your eyes are remarkably composed. Very focused.”
“Is that a compliment?”
“Yes, it is. But tell me, aren’t you afraid? I could steal your memories or even manipulate your mind.”
With high-level magic of at least the 6th circle, it would certainly be possible.
There were spells in that range capable of stealing memories or controlling the mind.
If I had only shallow knowledge of magic, I might have been shaken by such a threat.
But I wasn’t like that.
I knew all too well about the flaws of those spells.
“High-level magic like that is powerful, but it can’t be used repeatedly. Isn’t it common for the target to go mad after a single use?”
Whether it was mind control or memory extraction magic,
you could consider them to be one-time use.
Mind control often caused madness after a few days,
and memory extraction magic would leave the target’s brain melted after one use.
Such cruel magic was classified as forbidden magic, and it seemed that the duke knew of these spells.
Of course.
As someone known as the pinnacle of magic, he would have likely learned them at some point.
But even this threat meant nothing to me.
Officially, I was only a 1-circle mage.
Even though my head was filled with extraordinary knowledge.
‘But that’s a fact only I know.’
Would the duke, unaware of this fact, dare to use such cruel magic on me?
If something went wrong, I could go mad, and he’d never again witness a new spell containing my formulas.
If he truly used that magic on me,
‘Even the ducal estate wouldn’t escape unscathed.’
If the youngest son of a swordsmanship household came to a magic family and something happened to him?
No matter how powerful the duke’s estate was, erasing the trace of someone with my background would have its limits.
The Marquisate would undoubtedly launch a full investigation,
and if they found even a shred of evidence,
it could lead to a full-blown conflict between the two families.
If the Marquisate let it slide, their authority would plummet to the ground.
Would the duke dare to cast forbidden magic on me, knowing all this risk?
From what I had seen of him in the game,
‘He wouldn’t dare.’
Not only did it go against his values,
but most importantly, he had no knowledge of the information in my head.
“If that were to happen, Your Grace wouldn’t get what you want. Why should I be afraid? Unless, of course, you’re secretly a 9-circle mage.”
I smiled faintly as I spoke, and a glimmer of intrigue appeared in his eyes.
“You… knew about those spells?”
“They’re forbidden magic, aren’t they?”
“…How do you know about them?”
Forbidden magic.
You could consider it a branch of magic from the era of the Ancient Empire. From time to time, remnants of the Ancient Empire would be found in the form of spellbooks discovered in the continent’s dungeons or ruins.
The effects of these spells were so heinous that they were abandoned. Things like stealing memories, controlling minds, or siphoning mana from others.
Nine out of ten were of such malicious nature.
Even among mages, only a handful would know about these spells.
After spellbooks were discovered,
the Empire’s high-ranking mages decided to keep them undisclosed.
The magic was simply too cruel for humans to wield. The duke had been one of the mages who agreed to that decision back then.
That’s why he was asking.
How could a mere 1-circle mage know about such things?
I already had my answer prepared.
“I came across it in an old tome. It described how magic like that existed during the era of the Ancient Empire.”
What could he do with that explanation? I simply said I read it in a book.
Then I looked at Meleos.
“I’d prefer to get along with Your Grace. Is there really any need for us to become enemies? If we both compromise a little, I think we could move in a positive direction. So, how about we discuss something more constructive?”
There was no point in continuing a battle of wits.
I had no intention of accepting the duke’s proposal anyway.
Guiding the conversation toward mutual benefit was the best course of action for both of us.
In a few years, I’d be too busy clashing with the villains to worry about anything else.
The duke and his retainers would eventually serve as shields, fighting those villains fiercely.
It was unnecessary to turn them into enemies.
At my words, the duke took a sip of tea and chuckled.
“Are you really twelve years old?”
“I’ve never lied about my age.”
“You’re becoming more and more desirable. I meant what I said earlier. I really wanted to research magic with you. Of course, I had no intention of using forbidden magic.”
That much was expected.
Judging by the duke’s character, he wasn’t someone who would favor such spells.
Meleos nodded as he looked at me.
“You’ve got quite the guts. Fine. Let’s have a proper discussion. From now on, I’ll treat you as a Magic Tower Master.”
Being treated as a Magic Tower Master.
It meant he recognized me and was partially giving up on making me his vassal.
That was good news for me.
Now, we could have a genuine conversation.
Looking at Meleos, I immediately asked,
“Other than what you’ve mentioned, is there anything else you want from me?”
The one in a hurry usually presents their conditions first.
After pondering for a moment, he answered.
“When are you planning to declare your independence?”
“It shouldn’t take too long.”
After completing the succession ceremony, I intended to establish my Magic Tower soon.
At my words, Meleos nodded.
“With the succession ceremony approaching, I suppose it won’t be long.”
“Yes.”
“Have you decided on the location for your Magic Tower?”
“For now, I’m considering the eastern region.”
The eastern region, where the Marquisate was located.
Establishing the Magic Tower there would make it easier to receive support from my backers.
At this, the duke subtly inquired,
“What about coming to the western region instead of the east?”
His intentions were obvious.
As the chairman of the Western Magic Tower Association, he naturally wanted to draw me to the west.
That way, he could strengthen the west’s magical foundation and elevate the status of the Western Magic Tower Association.
Surely, he wouldn’t ask me to come for free.
“If I go west, what will you offer me?”
Now, it was time to hear his terms.
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