Episode 45

It was when the examiner solemnly raised the test papers.

Everyone looked at the test papers.

[Q. What exactly is <B> magic formula?]

“<B> is a magic formula that doesn’t utilize anything, right?”

That was the correct answer.

However, the mausoleum examiner shook his head as he showed the test papers.

[<B> is not simply a meaningless magic formula.

<B> stands for the first letter of BOLD.]

“The first letter of BOLD…?”

“What’s BOLD?”

The examiner raised the test papers again.

“BOLD means reinforcement.

It appears in front of a magic formula and is used as a magic formula to strengthen the corresponding magic.”

It was a story that changed the paradigm of magic formulas.

“So, is it just a big show with no meaning?”

“I tested it while grading. That’s right.”

The mausoleum magicians simultaneously drew the <B> notation.

The magic seemed to bounce more subtly than usual.

It wasn’t just about the <B> problem.

She pointed out errors in all the character formulas that appeared in every question.

It was different from a simple score of zero.

It meant that her magical knowledge surpassed the examiner’s.

But that wasn’t all.

“Wow, does that mean you become a genius in character formulas just by reading this?”

“Let’s make it our textbook!”

The examiner once again lowered his head.

“As a smart magician, I never engaged in actions that would expose my true abilities.”

The magicians looked solemnly at the test papers.

Surprisingly, Ishael inserted “?” in important sections to not fully reveal her abilities.

For example, there was a question about <u> magic formula.

Originally, the question stated that the <u> magic formula was the same as <b> magic formula.

But Ishael corrected that <u> is essentially underlining in that section, so it is not the same.

In other words, she pointed out the errors in the questions but cleverly avoided discussing how to implement and conclude the <u> magic formula.

“What’s, what’s this?”

“We’re so curious about what goes in that square box.”

“How can <u> magic formula be implemented precisely?”

Claude pressed a magical tool for language interpretation.

[Hahaha! This is amazing!]

As Claude’s laughter broke the silence, the magicians’ eyes sparkled with interest.

They continuously examined the test papers, pointing out errors in the questions and writing down their curious questions.

“Wait, is this really the content of magic formulas?”

“Do these kinds of magic formulas exist?”

One brave magician reached out into the air and started writing letters.

Exactly as Ishael had written.

“Draw it in the air! It really starts to appear! An image is forming!”

“I-Is that true?”

They looked at each other and swallowed nervously.

“With this, we can even overthrow <Golden Tower>, the mausoleum under the imperial palace!”

Golden Tower.

Unlike private mausoleums operated by nobles, it was a mausoleum directly supported by the imperial palace.

Since the emperor provided direct support without sparing any expenses, it was also a place where top magicians were recruited.

Their eyes gleamed with excitement.

In recent decades, the mausoleum of the sages had experienced a decline due to the absence of a mausoleum lord.

And in the midst of that, the appearance of a magician who broke the mold gave them new hope.

They believed that the mausoleum of the sages would flourish even more from here on.

“I want to properly cultivate this 1st Circle.”

“First, let’s research this content. We need to research it anew!”

“Let’s discuss it among ourselves until the new recruits arrive!”

“When can we see that apprentice magician again?”

“They said he went to Claude’s room.”

They swiftly changed their stance like skilled opportunists.

Suddenly, the magicians exited the examination room like flowing water.

Only the examiner and Claude remained in their places.

Claude stared fixedly at the test papers, tilting his head.

The examiner also looked at Claude with a significant expression.

“Do you know?”

“…”

“The appearance of such talent in the mausoleum is unprecedented.”

Claude turned his cold gaze to the side.

* * *

I was looking around the mausoleum laboratory when Claude suddenly entered.

He looked at me with a curious gaze.

[Hey, you’re quite skilled.]

“I’ve always been quite skilled.”

That’s what the mausoleum magicians say.

If you act modestly or show an average level of intelligence, they will ignore you.

But since I’m from the 1st Circle, I had to show an insane side that breaks the mold.

And I had to evoke curiosity as well.

That way, they would treat me well.

[“It truly is impressive. There has never been anyone in my line. I will treat you specially.”]

I tried to counter by firmly stating that I had no intention of joining Claude’s line.

But then, he messed up my hair.

[“Well, why… I don’t know why I keep saying good things to you. I’m normally rude.”]

Isn’t it good to say good things to people?

Clearly, his character was flawed.

[“Yes, you can curse if you want. I don’t really care.”]

I nodded my head and tried to enter Claude’s laboratory.

[“Hey, well… Still, as a celebration of your initiation, I’ll show you my best room. It’ll be empowering for you.”]

Next to Claude’s top room, there was a small side door.

There might be the essence of magic formulas inside.

My heart raced.

I entered the small door with him.

Inside the brightly lit side room, there was truly something amazing.

[“It’s the Diana Room.”]

Claude’s cheeks turned red.

I looked around in astonishment, holding back a gasp.

On the wall, passionate letters to Diana were written in red.

At first, I thought it was blood.

On another wall, research notes about Diana were meticulously filled.

“Milady Diana, I feel like running away after seeing this.”

As I furrowed my brows, Claude, no, his magical tool that revealed his inner thoughts, spoke.

[“Well, how is it? Impressive, isn’t it? Should I also show you our special Diana collection?”]

I wasn’t particularly interested in seeing it.

“No, thank you. I’m fine.”

[“Alright, you also want to see our baby, right?”]

No, I don’t want to see it.

Claude clapped his thumb and index finger together, making a sound.

Then, several large dolls were revealed on the wall.

“[These are the dolls I made, locked in longing, whenever I think of our Diana. Haven’t their skills improved?]”

They haven’t improved at all.

They all look the same.

They all resemble Chucky.

“I’m afraid they’ll appear in my dreams.”

I murmured as my soulless office self.

“Wow, they’re really cool.”

I thought the dolls were over, but there was something serious.

The mouths of the dolls all opened simultaneously and spoke.

“Claude, you foolish idiot!”

“Claude, you foolish idiot!”

“Claude, you foolish idiot!”

…Dolls with short tongues, simultaneously uttering the same words.

It was truly grotesque.

[Haha, isn’t it cool? By the way, Foolish Idiot is my nickname. Don’t even think about coveting it.]

“Who on earth would covet the nickname Foolish Idiot?”

[Exactly, Foolish Idiot.]

The more I thought about it, the more uncomfortable I felt, and I shrugged.

“Is this part of the agreement with Lady Diana?”

Claude wrinkled his forehead.

[Of course not. Obviously, you don’t know.]

He added with a bewildered expression.

[Oh, you. Even if you come across our baby later on, never mention this.]

“Why?”

Claude gave me a superior look and brushed his hair aside.

[“I’ll remain as a cool and silent older brother.”]

Judging by the way he’s blabbering now, it seems like he’ll be exposed soon.

I scratched my head and focused on tracking magic again.

“Well… Yes, cheer up. Fighting.”

I’ll figure it out on my own.

Once I find Lady Diana and have a proper conversation, that’ll be the end.

If I manage to find Diana, it won’t be just a dream to acquire a 10 billion won penthouse in the capital, a regional territory, and a villa.

[“Okay. Now you’re excited too.”]

I wasn’t excited.

“Let’s start researching tracking magic quickly!”

I received all the magic formulas worth engraving on the tracking potion from Claude.

It seemed like Claude was showing me every magic formula he could display.

Of course, they were all incomplete.

<IMG>, <HTML>, <BR>, and so on.

I looked at the magic formulas, rubbing my chin.

“The next one after <IMG> is empty, right?”

“Yes. When only <IMG> was entered, it worked very faintly.”

To think that the tracking potion would function even with just that input.

If that’s a skill, it’s a skill indeed.

Normally, if the code is incomplete, it shouldn’t function at all.

“If I complete that magic formula, it will work perfectly, right?”

At that moment, the door opened and Helic suddenly entered.

He stretched both thumbs towards me and spoke.

“I heard you presented a new paradigm in magic formulas this time.”

“Well, uh… yes…”

If something like that can be considered a paradigm.

Then, Helic, who was looking at the magic formula I was holding, pulled his hair.

“Wow, you’re dealing with something really difficult.”

“…”

“Unless it’s Alfred Saboia, you won’t be able to solve that magic formula anymore. It’s a huge obstacle. An obstacle!”

“It will be a tough fight.”

“Only Alfred Saboia knows the magic formula best, after all.”

Yeah, we’re talking about magic formulas.

Besides Alfred, there’s one person who knows that magic formula really well.

And that person is me.

Without hesitation, I raised my pen.