Dark Fantasy Normalized-Chapter 58

The moment two students locked eyes, this topic inevitably arose.

"What are you all talking about?"

"Ah! Master Radros, Master Mortier...!"

"Nothing! We were just leaving!"

"Hmph."

"How did our brilliant students become gossiping market vendors?"

Though the masters sighed at the students’ behavior, they refrained from disciplining them.

That didn’t mean the masters themselves were immune to the chatter.

"By the way, Master Radros, have you heard?"

"If you’re referring to the Gerhen incident, yes, I’ve heard."

"Apparently, additional investigations revealed that he’s been stealing students’ achievements for years."

The downfall of Gerhen, leader of the noble faction and one of the most influential figures in the Tower, was sensational enough. Add the involvement of dark magic, and it became impossible to resist.

If any mage could ignore such a story, they weren’t a mage—they were a monk destined for sainthood.

Yet, it wasn’t just Gerhen’s personal disgrace that kept the Tower’s halls buzzing.

A master of the Tower, someone who represented its very name and prestige, had done something utterly shameful. To students who took great pride in the Tower, this wasn’t just entertaining—it was deeply unsettling.

Ordinarily, they would have quickly burned out their curiosity and moved on for the sake of their own dignity.

But this time, the gossip lingered.

"By the way, Master Radros, is it true? You witnessed that person sparring before the Gerhen incident?"

"Er, yes. I happened upon the chance."

"And the opponent was Lady Heina? Is that true?"

"I can’t confirm that. All I’ll say is that it was an extraordinary duel, in every sense."

"Please, tell me more! What was so extraordinary about it?"

"Well... Fine, I’ll share a bit. You might find this hard to believe, but at the time, he was still only at the fourth rank. And yet—huff—he used elemental manifestation."

"Are you sure you weren’t mistaken? Perhaps he was already at the fifth rank by then?"

"Let’s go with that. That’s all I’ll say for now, Master Mortier."

"No, wait, Master Radros!"

The persistence of the story wasn’t just due to Gerhen.

It was also because of another key figure in the narrative.

Lisir.

Even before the Gerhen incident, stories about Lisir had begun to spread within the Tower—tales of an outsider mage uncovering dark magic that even the masters had failed to notice.

At the time, the perception of Lisir within the Tower was complex.

"Master Mortier, what do you think of him?"

"Preposterous."

"Excuse me?"

"I heard he couldn’t name a faction or a noble family. And yet, he solved one of our Tower’s problems? Tsk. It’s embarrassing for us—"

While not as openly hostile as Gerhen, many were wary of Lisir’s origins and harbored resentment.

However, after the Gerhen incident, those sentiments rapidly diminished, disappearing entirely.

"Master Mortier, what do you think of him now?"

"Are you asking about Lisir? The young man who moves through our Tower as if it were his own home?"

"My apologies—"

"An expert in dark magic, who at his age has already achieved the fifth rank and wields mana so masterfully that he can even use warriors’ techniques? Is that who you mean?"

"Uh, yes?"

"My opinion? He’ll become one of us. Why else would he move through our Tower so freely? I hear he reveres Master Meltas as a mentor and is close enough to entrust his familiar to Master Didoa."

Lisir had simply accomplished too much to be dismissed based on his background.

Coupled with Gerhen’s disgrace—led by someone who had been Lisir’s fiercest critic—a unique shift began within the Gray Mage Tower.

Mage Towers were traditionally insular and conservative. Discrimination based on origin was an accepted norm.

Yet here, in the Gray Mage Tower, that tradition was beginning to waver.

"Looking at it rationally, what does origin matter if the mage is exceptional?"

It was the birth of a mutant Mage Tower—one where those who discriminated became the ones ostracized.

***

Normally, whenever Didoa was formally invited to the Masters’ Council, she would decline. This was a long-standing, almost theatrical routine—a ritualistic yet combative game between her and the council.

But today, Didoa found herself startled by the sudden break in that unspoken tradition.

She wasn’t alone in her surprise.

Many masters, typically excluded from the council due to the noble faction’s rigid hierarchy, were now filling the meeting room.

With the absence of the noble faction entirely replaced, the Masters’ Council began, entering an unprecedented new phase.

"Lisir."

Master Radros, chairing the meeting, opened proceedings with Lisir’s name as if it were the most natural topic in the world.

"As you all are undoubtedly aware, the Church has shown great interest in him after recent events. You surely remember High Priest Barodros."

The mention of the High Priest sent a ripple through the room.

At that moment, Master Mortier, seated to Didoa’s left, spoke with pride etched across her face.

"Naturally."

"…Master Mortier. Why do you look so proud?"

Unable to contain herself, Didoa asked directly.

"?"

Mortier turned to her with a look of exaggerated bewilderment.

"Why wouldn’t I be? After all, Lisir is practically—"

Her eyes widened mid-sentence.

Oh! That’s right. Lisir isn’t actually affiliated with our Mage Tower.

"My goodness. I’ve been hearing his name everywhere lately, I must’ve forgotten for a moment."

"Get a hold of yourself, Mortier. You might end up insulting Lisir if you’re not careful."

Meltas, seated on Didoa’s right, interjected calmly.

"What do you mean by that, Master Meltas?"

Another master, sitting beside Meltas, chimed in.

"Isn’t he already one of us? Officially, I mean."

"What nonsense is that?"

"Wasn’t it Master Meltas who recommended him as a supporter for our Tower? If that proposal passes, he’s practically part of the Mage Tower."

"…Strictly speaking, supporters are still considered outsiders. The contract can be dissolved by mutual agreement at any time."

"!"

The master suddenly looked as bewildered as Mortier had moments ago.

"Now that you mention it, supporters can terminate their contracts, can’t they? It’s so rare that I’d completely forgotten. And unlike most supporters, Lisir doesn’t seem to need us. He might actually do it."

Meltas sighed heavily.

Ah. Is that how Lisir views me?

He’s making fools out of all of us, isn’t he?

Meanwhile, similar conversations were happening across the room. After all, the very purpose of this meeting was to determine Lisir’s future role.

Radros, having patiently listened to the ongoing discussions, tapped the table twice.

The room fell silent, and all eyes turned toward him.

"After considering all opinions, I propose this: we appoint Lisir as a full-fledged mage of the Gray Mage Tower."

"Well said!"

Meltas and Didoa both flinched as Mortier clapped her hands enthusiastically, her voice ringing out.

The room erupted in agreement.

"A full mage? That’s quite the honor."

"Exactly. A fitting reward for someone of his caliber."

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"That’s precisely what I was going to say."

"I agree! Let’s move forward immediately!"

"When should we hold the induction ceremony?"

"The sooner, the better! Before any other faction makes an unsavory move toward him!"

"Then let’s proceed as soon as he’s conscious!"

"Agreed!"

Didoa observed the scene with her characteristically neutral expression.

"Master Meltas, do you see this?"

"Yes. It’s hard to believe. These lunatics are the same sharp-minded masters I’ve always known."

"That’s not what I meant. Everyone seems to really like Lisir. I’m sure he’ll be delighted to hear this once he wakes up. Oh, and I already prepared plenty of porridge for him at his quarters. The High Priest mentioned he’d wake soon, so I thought he might be hungry—"

"Alright, alright, calm down, Didoa. If you lose your composure, this Tower might spiral into complete chaos."

Tap, tap.

Meltas rapped on the table again to draw attention.

"Enough. Let me say something. You’re all talking as if Lisir is already a full mage."

"What are you saying, Master Meltas? Surely you’re not opposed to his appointment!"

Starting with Mortier, the masters turned on Meltas, voicing their protests.

"Master Meltas! Aren’t you supposed to be close to Lisir?"

"Master Meltas! I thought I knew you better!"

Meltas sighed once more at the uproar.

"Listen, all of you. Have you even considered Lisir’s opinion on this matter?"

"What do you mean?"

"In my conversations with him, he made it clear that he doesn’t want to be a mage of the Tower. More specifically, he’s resistant to the duties and responsibilities that come with such a position."

"…!"

Oh! That’s right. Master Meltas knows Lisir personally! Look, it’s Lisir’s acquaintance speaking!

The masters immediately calmed down and began listening attentively, as if they’d never raised their voices at him.

Meltas sighed again at their sudden shift in demeanor before continuing.

"Therefore, I propose an alternative: we offer him the position of honorary mage instead."

"He might refuse a full mage appointment, but he’d accept an honorary title. Is that what you’re saying?"

"Exactly."

"Then let’s proceed with that!"

"When should the ceremony be held—"

No.

Would you all stop jumping to conclusions and at least consult Lisir first?

Meltas rubbed his temples wearily and turned to Didoa, the only one in the room who seemed remotely grounded.

"Didoa, what do you think?"

"I’m thrilled to be part of such an important decision for Lisir."

"Ah... I see..."

Meltas looked up at the ceiling.

Lisir. Thanks to you, I’m not sure if the Tower’s future is brighter—or darker.

***

"Ah, I’ve ended up disturbing your rest. The masters insisted so persistently... It’s truly shameful," Meltas said, starting with an explanation—or perhaps a justification—and finishing with a lament.

Lisir responded with a wry smile.

"Not at all, Sir Meltas. Thank you for your concern. By the way, who were those individuals just now?"

He glanced toward the closed door.

The woman in the blue robe and the elf in the green robe, who had entered with Meltas, had stepped out after Meltas asked them to give the two some privacy, stating, "I need to speak with him privately for a moment."

"They’re investigators from other Mage Towers," Meltas explained.

"Investigators?"

"When an incident involving dark magic occurs, it’s protocol for the Mage Tower to report to at least two other towers for verification and oversight. Those individuals are here as part of that process. Once their evaluation is complete, the dark mage incident will officially be resolved."

"Now I understand why people freak out at the mention of dark magic. What a hassle."

"It’s necessary, I’m afraid. This rule was put in place after a necromancer emerged due to the negligence of a single Mage Tower. It might seem excessive, but it’s essential."

"Necromancer... Are you referring to that incident?"

"…You might be the only person in the world who could recall an encounter with a necromancer so nonchalantly."

Meltas chuckled softly, casting a brief glance at the door.

"In any case, if you’re feeling up to it—"

"Right now? Are you serious?"

Pien shot Meltas a sharp look, one that could only be described as a wife chastising her husband for his lack of consideration. Meltas, interpreting it exactly that way, became visibly flustered.

"Lisir seems to be in decent condition... Besides, those two have been waiting indefinitely for this final formality—"

"And this 'final formality' involves talking to me?"

"Exactly. It’s a purely procedural matter. You’ll say, 'I’m the person in the report,' and they’ll respond, 'So you’re the person in the report.'"

"Then let’s get it over with."

Lisir stretched as he stood up from the bed, his joints cracking audibly.

"Perfect timing, actually. I was itching to move around. How about we chat while walking outside?"

"That’s fine."

"Alright then. I’ll head out for now. But if your condition worsens by the time I see you again, be prepared."

As Lisir prepared to leave with Pien, Meltas called out, "Oh, one more thing, Lisir. I almost forgot."

"Yes, what is it?"

"Try not to... seduce those two."

"?"

"Ah, that came out wrong. What I mean is, have mercy on the Gray Mage Tower’s masters. You’ll understand what I mean once you start talking to them."

With that cryptic remark, Lisir stepped out, greeted immediately by the sharp gazes of the two investigators. He gestured toward the courtyard visible beyond the lodging.

"Let’s talk as we walk," he said.

***

The walk with the investigators lasted about ten minutes, enough time for Lisir to fully grasp the "purely procedural" nature of the process that Meltas had mentioned.

The woman in the blue robe, Enna, a master from the Blue Tower, maintained a strictly businesslike tone, jotting down notes in her notebook during the formal Q&A session with Lisir. Finally, she closed her notebook with an air of finality.

"Is that it?" Lisir asked.

"It is."

"And the results of your investigation?"

Meltas, who had been following at a distance, stepped forward to inquire.

"There are a few points of concern."

"Go on."

"According to the report, his rank is at the fourth level. However, due to the significant damage to his mana, we’re unable to verify this in detail."

"That’s—"

"We’ll make the judgment," Enna interjected coolly.

"...Fair enough."

Enna turned her icy gaze toward Lisir. Her already frosty demeanor had taken on an additional edge after realizing his lack of notable lineage or affiliation.

A self-taught mage with no family or faction, achieving the fourth rank at this age? And on top of that, wielding such extraordinary dark magic?

Enna didn’t like it, but she didn’t question it further. After all, the High Priest of the Church himself had vouched for the Gray Mage Tower’s innocence.

Once the Church became involved, the investigators’ role became little more than a formality.

"We conclude this investigation. Any objections, Rassiel?"

"None."

Rassiel, the elven master from the Green Tower, who had been standing apart from the group for his own reasons, answered decisively.

Lisir couldn’t help but think as he observed the two: If I’d been subjected to a thorough investigation by people like this, I’d probably have suffocated.

"You’ve both worked hard. I assume you’ll be leaving immediately? I’ll arrange for a proper send-off," Meltas said.

"No. I still have business here."

"The same goes for me," Rassiel added.

"Huh?"

Meltas, who had been eagerly looking forward to sending them on their way, was caught off guard. Their insistence on staying threw him completely.

"What kind of business?" he asked cautiously.

For the first time, Enna’s frosty demeanor seemed to thaw slightly.

"I’ve heard some intriguing stories during my stay here. They say a prodigy who reached the fifth rank before even turning twenty is currently residing at the Gray Mage Tower."

"...!"

"I’d like to meet them and test their abilities."

As Enna finished speaking, Rassiel immediately chimed in with his own request.

"I’ve come across a fascinating spirit within the Tower. I wish to connect with it, but it keeps refusing me. I’ve been told it recognizes a human as its master—I’d like to speak with that person."

"..."

Had any of the other masters heard this, they would have reacted like enraged monkeys, throwing stones and shouting indignantly.

Meltas, for his part, struggled to keep his gaze away from Lisir, doing his best to appear indifferent.