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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: selkie
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“Surely you know of my talent…?”
I paused for a moment. The instant the word ‘talent’ was mentioned, I didn’t miss the sparkle in Lysfield’s eyes. With a sly smile, I opened my mouth to continue.
“How about trying to create the youngest grand mage?”
It would be an incredibly sweet proposal. The Tower Master’s gaze wavered. If the Fifth Prince’s talent were combined with ‘secret teachings’…
After all, he had the authority related to the teachings, so there shouldn’t be any issues.
“And we must fulfill the oath made two thousand years ago.”
At that moment, the Tower Master, who had highly regarded the Fifth Prince, let out a short sigh at my following words. It seemed he had been properly shackled.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
On the first day, I decided to pass on a few necessary techniques for training and growth, including mana cultivation methods from the Tower’s ‘secret teachings.’
Contrary to the rumors of the Fifth Prince being a rogue, his understanding was exceptional. When I taught him one thing, he grasped ten and even applied it.
On the second day, the Fifth Prince completely understood the mana cultivation methods of the ‘secret teachings’ of the Tower.
Serious training began. Due to an excessive attempt to develop his path of mana, the Fifth Prince collapsed, bleeding.
He asked me not to inform the Emperor about this.
On the Third day, the previously imperfect path of mana took on a perfect form.
This is something that even a genius would take over six months to achieve.
I had no choice but to revise my initial thoughts. The confidence the Fifth Prince had shown was not mere overconfidence.
It was not baseless.
On the fourth day, it was unbelievable.
The Fifth Prince was on the verge of reaching the level of a low-level mage.
On the Fifth day, Elder Philid of the Blue Tower discovered that the ‘secret teachings’ had been passed down to the Fifth Prince.
Things were getting troublesome.
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I had hardly slept for four days. I barely managed to eat one meal a day, dedicating myself to training without rest.
Each Mage Tower has its own unique secret teachings. The secret teachings are passed down to only one direct disciple of the Tower Master or someone he recognizes.
Since these teachings are passed down secretly, each one could cause a significant impact if revealed.
The Tower Master did not teach everything. He only taught the mana cultivation methods of the secret teachings and a few basics.
However,
‘I think I understand why they call it secret teachings.’
The secret teachings of mana cultivation were maximizing the talent that resided in Raymond’s body. It seemed that the level of a low-level mage was already within reach.
Such a good thing couldn’t be shared with others; that’s why it’s called secret teachings.
‘Good things should be kept to oneself.’
Feel free to call me selfish; I would do anything to survive.
“Your Highness the Fifth Prince.”
It was while I was deeply immersed in mana cultivation. I heard the voice of the Tower Master, Lysfield Dior, along with a presence.
I paused my training for a moment and turned my head toward the direction of the presence.
“Old man, what is it?”
It seemed I was interrupted in my training, but that was not the case at all.
Lysfield had been waiting for three hours, and he chose to speak just as my concentration was about to wane and my mana cultivation was faltering, so it wasn’t a significant interruption.
“You haven’t had a proper meal for several days now. If you were to collapse again, it would put me in a difficult position.”
The Tower Master spoke frankly. If the Fifth Prince’s health deteriorated, he would have no face to show the Emperor.
Moreover, he genuinely worried about the Fifth Prince’s health.
He was getting less than two hours of sleep a day. And the one meal he managed to eat was barely a piece of bread.
The remaining time was entirely devoted to training. Even Lysfield, who had once lived a hellish life to become a grand mage, was astonished by the intensity of the training.
“Is it already lunchtime?”
“Yes, Your Highness the Fifth Prince.”
“Today, I need to eat something proper. Please guide me to the dining hall.”
Today was the Fifth day. With the level of a low-level mage so close, I thought it was okay to enjoy at least one proper meal.
“There is a dining hall for the Tower Master and the elders on the upper floor. I will take you there.”
I followed the Tower Master, who took the lead.
As we moved from the top floor to the upper area, I occasionally spotted the elders of the Tower and high-level mages.
Everyone was at least at the intermediate to advanced level, and among the elders, there were only a few high-level mages.
The meal was excellent. While it wasn’t at the level of the Fifth Prince’s palace, it was quite delicious. After enjoying a light dessert, I left the dining hall and headed back to the training area.
However, there was someone guarding the entrance to the training area.
“I greet the Tower Master”
He greeted the Tower Master before greeting me, the Fifth Prince.
‘I don’t like this.’
I frowned. Just as Alex was about to step forward, the old man’s gaze turned toward Raymond.
He opened his mouth with an expression that was difficult to interpret.
“I see that Your Highness the Fifth Prince is also present.”
“Shouldn’t you introduce yourself first?”
“Oh, I apologize for my rudeness. I am Philid, an elder of the Tower and a high-level mage.”
Philid introduced himself with exaggerated politeness, and there was a hint of sarcasm in his gestures.
“What brings you here?”
“You, who did not move when the Red Tower and the Yellow Tower stood behind the Third Prince, suddenly came to the Tower with the Fifth Prince, so I was curious and came to see.”
“Your Highness the Fifth Prince is standing before you!”
The underlying message was clear: ‘You didn’t stand with the Third Prince, so why are you siding with the Fifth Prince now?’
It was clearly a mockery, and Alex recognized it and stepped forward.
The royal knights were likely the Third Prince’s subordinates, so they had been forcibly kept away from the Tower.
“How dare you, a mere attendant, be so arrogant! How dare you interrupt here! Isn’t Your Highness the Fifth Prince also remaining calm?”
Philid raised his mana. As the sharp pressure bore down, Alex let out a short groan and staggered.
Seeing this, Raymond released a bit of the energy contained in the Spear of Sacrifice. It was energy he usually kept hidden, utilizing one of the techniques from the secret teachings.
“Hmm?”
Alex’s expression relaxed, but Philid’s eyes sparkled as he read the momentary manifestation of the intangible energy.
Seeing this, Lysfield sighed, sensing that things were about to get complicated.
“Surely, Your Highness the Fifth Prince has not reached a level where he can contain this much energy… Tower Master, have you perhaps passed on the Tower’s secret teachings to the Fifth Prince?”
“What if he did?”
I answered instead of Lysfield. However, Philid’s gaze briefly turned to Raymond before fixing back on the Tower Master.
Even though I was a rogue, it was annoying that they would openly disregard me just because the royal knights were not present.
“While the authority over the secret teachings lies with the Tower Master, what are you trying to do by proceeding without consultation? Are you out of your mind?”
His words were becoming increasingly rude.
He probably wanted to say, ‘Don’t pin your hopes on the Fifth Prince.’
But since he couldn’t say that outright, he lashed out at the Tower Master instead.
“Have you seen any potential in the Fifth Prince? If so, it must be a potential worthy of overshadowing the Third Prince, who is called a genius in magic.”
A barrage of harsh attacks followed. Just as the Tower Master was about to speak, Raymond was a bit quicker.
“It’s not difficult.”
“…Excuse me? I apologize, Your Highness the Fifth Prince… Could you repeat that?”
A sneer hung on Philid’s lips. This wasn’t something he hadn’t heard; he just wanted to hear it again.
“I said it’s not difficult. Elder Philid.”
“The Third Prince reached the level of an advanced mage at a young age in his late twenties. As far as I know, Your Highness the Fifth Prince has no talent in either swordsmanship or magic.”
The more I listened, the more ridiculous it became. There was hardly any respect for the royal family.
‘So, he was hoping to align himself with the Third Prince.’
The Red Tower and the Yellow Tower were standing behind the Third Prince. Philid wanted the Blue Tower to join them as well.
But suddenly, the Fifth Prince popped up and snatched the secret teachings, so it must feel like a thorn in his side.
“Are you saying that I lack the talent to receive the ‘secret teachings’?”
“How could I say such a thing?”
He smiled slyly while Alex trembled beside me.
I quietly raised my hand slightly to prevent Alex from stepping forward and spoke.
“So all I need to do is prove my talent?”
“Would you like to try?”
“Is there a low-level mage among your direct disciples?”
If I remembered correctly from the setting book, there should be one.
“There is one.”
“Bring them here in two days. Prove it through a duel.”
“Are you sure about this?”
“I don’t care, just bring them in two days.”
“…Very well. I shall do so.”
The thought that he could officially make a fool of the Fifth Prince brought a smile to Philid’s lips.
“I need to train now.”
With that, I dismissed him.
“Yes, Your Highness the Fifth Prince. I wish you luck.”
After casting a displeased glance, Philid bowed his head and walked away. I withdrew my gaze from his retreating figure and opened the door to the training area.
“Your Highness the Fifth Prince, Elder Philid will send out his Third disciple. Although he is a low-level mage, he is on the verge of becoming an intermediate mage.”
“Is that so?”
“You won’t be able to win. Why would you…?”
“Enough.”
I cut off Lysfield’s words. I was getting frustrated and couldn’t listen any longer.
“There is no such thing as impossible.”
I paused for a moment. However, my gaze remained fixed on Lysfield.
“I keep my promises. I will definitely reach the level of a low-level mage by the day of the duel. So, you can leave now.”
With that dismissal, the Tower Master of the Blue Tower had no choice but to withdraw.
Raymond devoted himself to training, even saving time for sleep. When his mana ran low, he consumed elixirs to recover.
Even if he collapsed, he would get back up and handle his mana.
He couldn’t sleep. He felt that time was too precious.
And within that painful time, he finally…
Reached the level of a low-level mage.
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Two days later, on the morning of the seventh day since arriving at the Tower.
Having finished training through the night, Raymond, with Alex’s help, completed his change of clothes and left the training area, heading toward the duel arena.
As soon as I stepped into the hallway, the Tower Master, Lysfield, followed closely behind.
The royal knights, having been told not to crowd too closely, kept a certain distance and followed slowly.
But I could still feel their watchful gazes.
“Congratulations on reaching the level of a low-level mage.”
Lysfield spoke in a small, calm voice. Raymond opened his mouth with a bright smile on his face.
“Did you guard the training area all night?”
“Yes.”
“Well, they say when you get old, you can’t sleep.”
I said this as a complaint, but I felt good.
“Just wait a little. I’ll crush Elder Philid’s disciple and save your face, Old man.”
“Can I expect that?”
“Of course.”
As we chatted, we soon arrived at the duel arena.
“Your Highness the Fifth Prince, this time we must accompany you.”
One of the four royal knights who had been following us quickly approached. I recognized him from his familiar face.
‘He’s one of Aloken’s subordinates.’
He was one of the royal knights who had stepped back when I met the Third Prince before. Since he was requesting to accompany me, it was clear that the rumors about the duel had already reached the Third Prince.
‘He must have been told to investigate me.’
My gaze toward the royal knight turned cold.
“You’re welcome to accompany me.”
“Thank you for understanding our position.”
Even though the details of the duel would reach the Third Prince, I didn’t care. I could just say I had been training in magic for a long time.
Even if a royal knight reported that someone who had never learned magic reached the level of a low-level mage in a week, the Third Prince wouldn’t believe it.
‘As long as I don’t bring out the Spear of Sacrifice.’
If I were to make another hole in the Tower this time, I was already fearful of what Lysfield would charge me for the restoration costs.
“Open the door.”
When the Tower Master, Lysfield, spoke with a serious expression, the two Mage Tower knights guarding the entrance to the duel arena opened the door. The Mage Tower knights were hired free knights responsible for the minimum physical force in the Mage Tower.
“Let’s go in.”
I spoke in a calm voice as I stepped over the threshold. Inside the duel arena, aside from Philid and his disciple, there were only a few elders from the Mage Tower who would serve as witnesses.
“His Highness the Fifth Prince has arrived.”
As Alex announced my presence, the mages stood up and slightly bowed their heads in a light gesture of respect.
Philid did the same, but a cold smirk still lingered on his lips.
Next to him stood a young female mage with striking blonde hair and blue eyes.
‘Is she the third disciple?’
Did she feel my gaze? The young mage smiled and spoke.
“I’m Desia Helly. Nice to meet you.”
Desia Helly?
‘I didn’t expect to see her here.’
I never thought I would meet a companion of the protagonist so quickly.
She is a companion of the protagonist in the novel. And by the end of the Third volume, she becomes a genius mage who reaches the level of a grand mage. She is also one of the opportunities that must be seized from the protagonist.
‘Right, it was written that she was from the Tower.’
I had almost forgotten about her because there was little description of her past in the novel, but the setting suddenly came back to me.
I don’t remember the detailed settings, but I know she has been learning magic for less than three years. Yet, she is already on the verge of reaching the level of an intermediate mage.
In a way, she was one of the opportunities I should have remembered, but strangely, I couldn’t recall it.
‘Why was that?’
I tried to dig through my memories, but I couldn’t find the reason.
‘She truly has the bloodline of a grand mage.’
With a brief admiration, Raymond stepped to the center.
“Nice to meet you.”
One of the elders from the Tower took on the role of the referee.
Raymond and Desia reviewed the rules of the duel once more in front of the elder and swore to use fair methods, then they distanced themselves.
“You may use training swords and shields, Your Highness the Fifth Prince.”
The elder serving as the referee suggested this, not knowing that Raymond had reached the level of a low-level mage, so he naturally assumed he would use a sword.
After all, he was currently containing mana with the techniques from the secret teachings, so it was understandable.
“I don’t need it.”
“You’ll regret that.”
I could hear Philid’s mocking voice, but I ignored it and began to draw up my mana, causing the elders in the audience to perk up with curiosity.
“Oh? It seems that Your Highness the Fifth Prince has been walking the path of mana.”
“That’s unexpected. There were so many bad rumors about him.”
“While it appears he is at the entry level of a low-level mage, Desia’s level is close to intermediate… It seems the outcome won’t change.”
I could faintly hear the elders’ conversations.
They looked on with interest, but that was all. No one even thought the Fifth Prince would win.
Regardless, Raymond transformed his mana into a long spear.
Desia narrowed her eyes and focused on Raymond.
I could feel the wave of mana around her. There were two options: attack or defend, but I was strongly convinced that she would choose defense over attack.
‘That’s what Desia excels at.’
Desia Helly was a mage specialized in protecting others, earning her the nickname of absolute defense.
That was how she was set up, and that was how she had lived.
Even if she unleashed an attack spell right now, she would act as she always had.
Habits are indeed fearsome.
“Haah!”
The tension in the air felt like it was freezing.
The two stared at each other in silence for five minutes. Raymond held the spear of mana, while Desia raised her mana, sending sharp glances in his direction.
‘Now, I will teach the Fifth Prince the easiest attack spell among the secret teachings.’
Slowly, I moved toward Desia, recalling Lysfield’s words.
‘Although it’s said to be the easiest, it is still a secret teaching. I can’t guarantee that you can learn it in two days.’
Lysfield had said that. At that time, I felt a bit tense.
I thought it might be difficult. But in the end, I succeeded.
I couldn’t say I had mastered it perfectly, but I had reached a level where I could mimic it.
“Desia Helly, I’m sorry, but I really hate betraying someone’s expectations.”
With a powerful leap, blue mana exploded from his body.
At that moment, all the elders who had been seated stood up in shock.
“Could it be that the reckless Fifth Prince is doing that?”
“That, that is…”
“No way!”
Everyone was astonished as the blue mana danced around.
‘Today is the beginning.’
My cold eyes were fixed on Desia.
‘The rogue is no more.’
It was time to shed the stigma and shine brilliantly.
