chapter_0144

145 – It’s for Confirmation

145 – It’s for Confirmation

“……”

Meiko recalled the illusion she had seen.

The Illusion magic she experienced when she entered the Magic Circle Max had created.

His Illusion magic was so realistic that it was difficult to distinguish between reality and illusion, and even Meiko found it difficult to find a way to break it.

Even though the Illusion magic, enhanced by the Magic Circle, was constructed so solidly that it was difficult to dismantle, there weren’t many Illusion magics that could deceive her eyes to that extent.

It was that high in quality.

Clearly, when she saw it, Meiko had seen an absurdly lewd illusion.

A younger Max.

The boy, a younger version of Max, who flinched and said his ‘thing’ was strange, was touching the dark desires within her.

She was so surprised that even after escaping the illusion, she was tormented by it for a long time.

She thought that seeing such an illusion was due to her pent-up desires.

She had been immersed in research her whole life, and Max was the only man nearby, so she thought that such an embarrassing scene appeared in the illusion.

That’s why she had reflected on herself and fled to the Witch’s Forest to suppress that desire, wasn’t it?

Under the pretext of manifesting the physical power of Illusion magic.

But what if, as the other headmasters said, the illusion itself was a Magic Circle that triggered and ran wild with desire?

‘Dangerous.’

It wasn’t that the power of the Magic Circle was dangerous.

The aftermath that would ensue if she were caught possessing that Magic Circle was dangerous.

The priests of the Order believed that summoning demons was possible by having lewd thoughts.

‘I might become a public enemy.’

Of course, it might be a misunderstanding by other magicians.

But what if Max really created the illusion with that intention?

In the past, when Max first created the Magic Circle, she had helped him create it by his side, asking what he was making it for.

-What is this for? Hahaha, it’s just for fun.

-Ah, just a moment. Master, something urgent has come up.

Every time, Max would gloss over and avoid answering.

She didn’t think much of it at the time.

‘Suspicious.’

It seems like he’s hiding something.

But she didn’t want to suspect her disciple.

Her only disciple.

A kind disciple who was only a year older than her, yet never tried to take advantage of her age.

Rather, he respected her and did his best to receive her teachings.

How trustworthy that figure was.

She thought he was a talent who could lead the Illusion School together.

-Master, you’re amazing!

Max’s cheering figure was vivid.

There’s no way a disciple with such a bright smile would create an Illusion Magic Circle that creates lewd images to the point of summoning demons.

“……”

She pressed her lips tightly, tormented by inner conflict.

Because of that, she didn’t see Aurora persuading the other six headmasters.

She didn’t hear her saying that her assumptions were misunderstandings and admitting her mistakes.

“Meiko.”

Meiko snapped out of it at the sound of her name.

“Wh, what’s wrong? Aurora?”

“I heard you came because of the budget cut issue, is that right?”

“Ah, yes. No matter how I think about it, our budget cut doesn’t align with the existing policies.”

Aurora sighed at Meiko’s words.

“Why are you so reliant on the money supported by the Magic Department?”

“Th, that’s…….”

“Haa, never mind. In the first place, since there’s revenue, it’s inevitable that it’ll be cut according to the regulations.”

The other headmasters agreed with Aurora’s words.

“Headmaster Aurora is right. We can’t change what’s already been decided.”

“That’s right, that’s right.”

“But if we make up for the budget cut with our sales, the money we earn in a year won’t be much!”

Everyone fell silent at Meiko’s outburst.

Aurora clicked her tongue at those words.

“You’re not wrong. But it’s impossible to change the guidelines already set by the Magic Department. The Illusion School isn’t the only magic school being marginalized, and they might think you’re being treated specially.”

“…….”

“But it’s true that the six schools, including our Life Magic, have received help from Meiko. Many of the papers we’ve published have Meiko listed as a co-author.”

At her words, the other headmasters asked.

“What’s the intention of your words?”

“Get to the point.”

“How about the six schools support the amount of the budget cut by the Magic Department?”

A moment of silence followed.

It wasn’t like Aurora to say something like that for her school alone.

“……I can’t agree.”

“Goldmoon received a lot of help, so how about they give it?”

“Are you crazy? If you put it that way, Darkness also created the core theory of Shadow Arts with Meiko, so they should support it!”

“…Why are you dragging us into this?”

The headmasters raised their voices at Aurora’s declaration.

“Is this Headmaster Aurora’s idea?”

Aurora shook her head at Lee Grant’s question.

“It’s Max’s opinion. He told me that when he was cleared of suspicion.”

“…….”

“After all, it’s true that we received help from Meiko. And trying to accuse a magician in the same school of summoning demons is also disrespectful to the Illusion School.”

“Ahem, didn’t Life Magic say they would take responsibility for that?”

The other headmasters made excuses, avoiding Meiko’s gaze.

“Bluster wants to support you, but we’re in a position where we spend a lot of support money. Sorry, Meiko.”

“…I think it’s right for Life Magic to take responsibility.”

All the headmasters targeted Aurora and passed the buck.

Then we’ll support the shortfall of 20 gold. In addition, we’ll support 40 gold as an apology.”

Why is she doing this?

Meiko couldn’t understand Aurora’s words.

Aurora would never say she would support money.

Especially to her and the Illusion School?

Even though 40 gold a year isn’t a lot of money for the Life Magic School.

“But there’s a condition.”

“What is it?”

“From now on, Life Magic will exclusively receive Meiko’s advice. Is that okay?”

“What?”

“That’s not right.”

“To monopolize academic exchanges with each other. That’s outrageous!”

Aurora was calm.

“Are you saying that because you’re too stingy to spend a few dozen gold?”

At that moment, Meiko realized Aurora’s intention.

‘She’s trying to monopolize it.’

Meiko’s help isn’t absolute, but there aren’t many magicians as knowledgeable about various magics as she is.

Advice from a magician with diverse thoughts is very helpful when developing new magic.

That was the reason why Meiko was listed as a co-author and advisor in many magic books and papers.

“I’ll accept the Life Magic School’s proposal.”

“Wa, wait a minute!”

“Meiko, if you decide that way…….”

“…There’s still time for the meeting…….”

It was the moment the leadership of the meeting was handed over.

In the end, the meeting concluded with Life Magic and the other six magic schools agreeing to maintain cooperation with Meiko by each supporting a portion of the lost budget.

It was the moment when a price was put on the advice and help that Meiko had originally given out of goodwill.

It was a win-win structure for both Life Magic and the Illusion School.

The Illusion School receives money from Life Magic and other schools, and Life Magic bears the risk of its mistake to a minimum.

But that wasn’t a method that the stubborn Aurora would use.

‘This isn’t Aurora’s method…….’

What on earth happened?

Meiko, who was leaving the meeting room, saw Aurora walking next to her.

As if noticing her gaze, Aurora smiled and said.

“I received a lot of help from Max. I went to see him this time and had a little chat……. He’s a better magician than I thought?”

“Advice you heard from Max?”

“That’s right. You raised a good disciple?”

“……You listened to someone else’s advice?”

It was hard to believe.

But at the same time.

‘If it’s Max, it might be possible.’

He was an excellent magician no less than herself.

“You know how to listen to other people’s words?”

“I tasted failure by sticking to my stubbornness, so I have to reflect.”

“…….”

“Don’t be too grateful. It’s not like I helped you for your sake.”

“I know. That kind of thing.”

Meiko stood tall in her spot.

“But there’s one thing I want to ask.”

“What is it?”

“Why did you think our magic was magic that summons demons?”

“…….”

Aurora smiled awkwardly at Meiko’s question.

“Do you want to hear the truth? Or do you want to hear a fabricated lie?”

“The truth.”

“I was jealous. I didn’t think that mere Illusion magic would steal my customers. It’s obvious, isn’t it? It can’t be better than our healing magic, right?”

“Is that it? You drove me like that without any evidence?”

Aurora shrugged her shoulders.

“I was convinced that if I went to the scene, evidence would be created somehow.”

“You don’t mean……. Were you trying to fabricate evidence?”Even if I didn’t fabricate evidence, it’s possible to push Illusion magic, which has perception buried deep, off a cliff.”

“…….”

“…That’s what I thought at one time. But not now. I received teachings…….”

Aurora, who was about to move her lips, shook her head.

“Anyway, it ended well, so let’s end it here. I don’t want to talk about it anymore. I used my body a lot today, so I’m tired.”

Aurora, who stretched her body, left the spot.

Meiko, who was looking at her back, bit her lip.

‘You drove me without evidence?’

After all, there’s no way our disciple would have done anything strange.

Yes.

Of course.

How diligent and sincere is Max as a magician.

There’s no way he would have created such strange magic.

Meiko knew it because she had seen his Magic Circle countless times.

But.

‘Why am I so uneasy?’

She had a feeling that it wasn’t just a coincidence that she had such an illusion.

The young Max and herself, whose heart was pounding as she looked at him.

That illusion, stained with desire.

There must be a reason.

‘I should investigate it once.’

But before that, Meiko thought she should tell her disciple the good news that she had earned money to replace the budget.

The sun, which illuminates the empire, fell asleep and the night darkened.

An empty street where no one passes except for the occasional passing guard.

In the street covered in darkness, a figure moved quickly.

Shashashak.

“Hoo, hoo. I’m tired.”

A blue-haired woman wearing a hood and mask hid in the shadows and walked stealthily.

She hid her appearance with Illusion magic to avoid the eyes of the guards she encountered, and moved carefully.

And she stood in front of Max’s Illusion Shop.

“I, it’s for confirmation.”

She adjusted her mask and grabbed the doorknob of the empty shop, as Max had already left work.

Author’s words (Author’s note)

It feels like sneaking in at night to 몰컴