Ch.428Episode 17 – The Blood-Drinking Tree

# Humanity’s Desire for Flight

Humanity’s desire for flight boasts a history spanning thousands of years.

Despite fierce opposition from religious organizations centered around the Church and Al-Yabd, nothing could stop the passion of aviators who dreamed of freely soaring through the vast skies.

Thus, when the Magic Tower first developed airships, many people were ecstatic.

They believed the day when humans would dominate the skies—long considered the realm of gods—was not far off.

However, even after several decades, the aerospace industry has failed to achieve remarkable growth to this day.

The reason is simple.

Because magic exists in this world.

## Episode 17 – The Blood-Drinking Tree

Alexandra Petrovna suggested that I come watch Camilla perform magic.

It was an offer I had no particular reason to refuse.

“Very well. It would be an honor to see it.”

I had no special reason for accepting the Grand Duchess’s proposal.

Personally, I was curious about how far Camilla’s skills had progressed, and I was also interested in seeing how impressive the techniques taught by Alexandra Petrovna were.

After all, the Grand Duchess is none other than ‘that’ great mage.

“I’ve heard of Your Highness’s reputation since I was young.”

While I have low magical aptitude and cannot handle magic myself, I did receive education about magic at university and in the military.

Military magic is a core weapon in this region’s armies. Magic is essential in everything from small unit tactics to division and corps operational plans, and it serves as the main force in special operations.

This type of military magic is developed primarily through defense research institutes and is also important in other public sectors and civilian fields.

And such cutting-edge technology naturally receives the full attention of intelligence agencies. Just like how Chinese operatives steal Samsung’s semiconductor technology and the National Intelligence Service tries to prevent it. The information war surrounding magic is incredibly fierce.

It remains so even now.

“It’s an honor for someone like you to show me magic.”

While I wouldn’t be able to discover any important secrets just by watching the Grand Duchess’s magic, the story would be different if my testimony reached the ears of the Military Intelligence Agency.

After all, the Military Intelligence Agency leads the development of military magic. Experts specializing in magic within the company might find good clues from the Grand Duchess’s magic.

“There’s no need to speak of honor. How could a mage using magic be considered a burdensome task?”

Alexandra Petrovna herself didn’t seem particularly concerned.

Perhaps she didn’t think her magic was a secret that needed strict protection.

Or maybe she judged that showing it to a foreigner wouldn’t be a problem since I was Camilla’s colleague.

In any case.

The Grand Duchess moved to the backyard of the mansion. She explained that it was where Camilla usually practiced magic.

Although it was a building constructed for just one royal family member, the mansion was quite long and spacious.

Thanks to this, I received various questions from the two of them during our short walk.

“This is your first time properly seeing my magic, right?”

Camilla was the first to speak.

Having eaten her fill of snacks, she was smiling brightly.

She seemed oddly excited, as if she was looking forward to showing off her magic.

“I did see you diving into the fountain, but I didn’t get a proper look.”

“Oh, come on! Stop teasing me!”

“Alright.”

I smiled at her as she fumed, then added:

“I’m looking forward to it.”

This seemed to satisfy her, as Camilla stopped picking at my words.

“Just wait and see. I’ll show you some amazing magic.”

“Child.”

The Grand Duchess, who had been walking ahead, let out a short sigh.

“No matter how excited you are about reuniting after a long time, how could you use such frivolous expressions?”

“Oh, come on. Why are you scolding me over something so minor, Professor?”

“…”

The teacher rubbed her forehead at her student’s dismissive attitude.

Alexandra Petrovna lamented that she should have taught etiquette as well if she had known this would happen, but in my opinion, it was already too late.

Anyway, despite her excitement, Camilla was fundamentally well-educated. As she returned to a calmer demeanor after being reprimanded, the Grand Duchess smiled as if relieved.

She opened the door with magic without even touching it and began to speak. The topic of conversation had somehow shifted to me.

“I’ve already heard about you. From what I understand, you are not a mage. Yet you claim to know about my magic?”

“Ah, my younger sister is a mage.”

“I see, you have a mage among your blood relatives.”

The Grand Duchess, passing through the corridor, nodded readily.

“Your sister is a mage. Then it’s only natural that you would know about me. Tell me, what kind of person is your sister?”

I answered honestly.

“She’s an ordinary girl. Talented, too. She majored in elemental magic at the Academy and university.”

“A mage of the Elemental School.”

Finding it interesting that Ayla belonged to the school she had established, the Grand Duchess mentioned that she would like to meet her someday.

Considering that the Elemental School is the largest of the Magic Tower’s three major schools, this was quite unusual. There are so many outstanding mages in the school compared to a promising mage who joined a trading company rather than the Magic Tower.

Even Francesca, who is acquainted with the Grand Duchess, belongs to the Elemental School. There are also several Oracle Committee members in the Elemental School.

Whether by bloodline or reputation, there are plenty of people more distinguished than Ayla.

But the fact that the Grand Duchess, who wouldn’t even meet Oracle Committee members, specifically mentioned Ayla was probably because she’s connected to Camilla through one degree of separation.

“Here we are.”

As we chatted, we finally reached our destination.

Alexandra Petrovna, crossing the quiet yard, stepped onto the marble footpath between the grass and stood in the center.

She said:

“My disciple has learned many spells, but it would be difficult to demonstrate all the techniques she has mastered here. Today, we will start with something simple.”

The great mage looked at the young mage and continued:

“Is there any particular magic you would like to show?”

Camilla fell into contemplation at the question.

Her expression was very serious as she was lost in thought. She looked like someone conflicted between two favorite menu items.

“Hmm…”

With her arms crossed, she suddenly raised her head.

Then she looked at me once, then at the Grand Duchess, then back at me again.

I wasn’t sure what she was plotting, but her blue eyes had a rather mischievous gleam. It was as if she had thought of a good way to tease me.

Sure enough, Camilla raised her hand with a wicked smile and an expression full of amusement.

And then she exclaimed:

“Teleportation magic!”

*

Magic is the biggest obstacle hindering the development of the aerospace industry.

Among them, there is one magic particularly infamous among scientists researching aircraft.

Spatial magic.

At first, I too wondered why magic that manipulates space would hinder the aviation industry, but as I read more books and matured, I naturally came to understand.

Magic that manipulates space has tremendously high utility.

Starting from compressing an object’s volume, to reducing only its weight while maintaining its volume.

Or even creating a virtual space by separating space itself.

Most of these spatial magics were born during the war with the Church.

Reclusive geniuses in various fields pooled their wisdom for victory, and in the process, various magics were fused, with spatial magic being a prime example.

These fusion magics scattered shortly after the end of the war. During the war, many ancestral legacies failed to continue and disappeared.

Spatial magic was no exception.

While magic that reduces weight and volume was successfully restored, spatial separation magic—the greatest achievement of spatial research—was lost.

Therefore, separation magic today is hard to find except in the Magic Tower’s history books or magical artifacts preserved in museums. Incidentally, one of the magical artifacts with separation magic applied is owned by the dark elf who leads the Palm Tree Company.

Thus, research on spatial magic, having lost its most important component, has been neglected even at the Magic Tower for the past few decades.

So why has spatial magic, which has lost most of its heritage, risen to a position that hinders the growth of the aerospace industry?

It’s because of teleportation magic.

“Teleportation is a supreme technique embodying the principles of spatial magic. It’s magic that allows one to freely travel long distances, transcending spatial constraints.”

Research on magic that transcends spatial constraints, commonly known as teleportation or teleport magic.

The technology to freely traverse space opened a new renaissance for the Magic Tower, which had been reduced to ruins by war.

The Grand Duchess said:

“Teleportation is particularly useful even among spatial magics. If teleportation magic had not been developed, humans would not have evolved to surpass elves as a species.”

“It’s certainly an impressive technology.”

Camilla nodded with her arms crossed.

“Without teleportation magic, warp gates that can cross continents in just 5 minutes wouldn’t have been born either.”

“That’s correct.”

The Grand Duchess nodded with a satisfied expression.

“The discovery of teleportation magic was truly revolutionary. It’s used not only for travel but in various fields. The military is a prime example.”

“The military?”

As the young mage’s head tilted to one side, the great mage with a gentle smile began to direct her gaze toward me.

This was her way of asking me to explain.

I helped the confused Camilla understand, substituting for the Grand Duchess.

“As the Grand Duchess said, teleportation is used in various fields. Transportation services like international mail are major users. But the military is where teleportation is most deeply researched and utilized.”

“Ah, instead of aircraft?”

“Yes.”

Teleportation magic, which revolutionized transportation and travel, also excelled in the defense sector.

Because there are no aircraft in this world.

“In a world without aviation assets, most air-related operations use teleportation magic. Like when urgent supplies need to be delivered to isolated units in enemy territory. But the true value of teleportation magic lies elsewhere.”

Infiltration.

The reason the Department of Defense adopted expensive teleportation magic was for rapid infiltration.

Instead of sending special forces units by land or sea, they send them deep into enemy territory via teleportation. They can also pre-deploy hundreds of paratroopers with parachutes and equipment behind landing points.

“Teleportation magic has high military value. Imagine what would happen if airborne troops appeared over the capital right after a declaration of war.”

“They’d be caught completely off guard.”

“It would be more than just being caught off guard.”

Airborne and special forces units have a high proportion of combat mages. Not all troops are mages, but at least 40% of the personnel are composed of mages.

If 100 people infiltrate, 40 of them are mages.

For reference, according to the Abas military’s operational plans, the airborne unit that descends on an enemy capital immediately after the outbreak of war is at least a brigade-level force. This means hundreds of mages descending from the sky along with over a thousand infantry.

Add to that special forces units targeting military installations and national infrastructure in each region, plus airborne units securing beachheads, and it’s enough to drive defenders crazy.

I continued:

“Of course, due to cost issues, normal drops are conducted using airships, but all actual aerial infiltrations during wartime—that is, during actual operations—use teleportation magic. It’s occasionally used for training as well.”

“Then Frederick must have experience with it?”

“No.”

The only training that uses teleportation magic is the Abas Special Warfare High Altitude Training course. In South Korean terms, it would be the Special Forces High Altitude course.

Whether it’s the Intelligence Agency or the Military Intelligence Agency, they send staff for high-altitude drop training to special forces units, but there are several conditions required to receive this training.

For reference, I didn’t meet the conditions. To be more precise, not this time.

I deliberately avoided it because I had a bad experience when I went for high-altitude training at the Intelligence Agency. I received airborne training during my formative years, but I didn’t have a particularly good relationship with airborne drops.

Anyway.

“While it’s frequently used in the military, it can’t be used just anytime. There are few mages who can use it, and the cost of activating a magical artifact once is extremely high.”

“That’s right. Teleportation is difficult even for mages of the Magic Tower to handle. Today, you will practice this magic.”

The Grand Duchess instructed Camilla to demonstrate teleportation magic. Her intention was to improve Camilla’s proficiency by using the magic she had learned so far, and to provide feedback if there were any deficiencies.

“Teleportation magic used by the military is aimed at long-distance, large-scale movement. Since it’s a ritual of a scale difficult for individual mages to handle, it inevitably relies on magical artifacts and accumulators. It also takes a lot of time to prepare the magic.”

But the magic Camilla would demonstrate today wasn’t a large-scale ritual. It was short-distance teleportation magic where she would move herself a short distance.

“Begin.”

-Whoosh!

At the signal, Camilla transformed into flames.

Leaving soot where she had stood, she disappeared amidst smoke and sparks. Then, after about two seconds—or perhaps even less—sparks began to rise in the air.

“Yahoo!”

Camilla appeared in the air with flames.

Having instantly moved a distance of about 8 meters, she landed on the grass and hopped around.

“I did it!”

Camilla raised her voice with a pleased smile. Alexandra Petrovna, watching her, began to smile warmly.

She clapped her hands as she looked at Camilla.

“Excellent. You’ve gone quite far compared to when you first started. As you become more proficient in magic, you’ll be able to travel even greater distances in shorter moments.”

“Hehe.”

“Of course, the drawbacks are as prominent as the advantages. First, your accuracy is lacking.”

The Grand Duchess’s feedback was immediate. This was possible because she was a great mage.

Alexandra Petrovna pointed out that Camilla had appeared in mid-air and left words of caution.

“In urgent situations, it may be acceptable to teleport into the air, but on a battlefield where a momentary mistake can cost lives, teleporting into the air is dangerous. What if you injure your leg by not landing properly? Next time, try to teleport to a precise location.”

It wasn’t just verbal feedback. She even demonstrated it herself.

Whoosh, blue flames erupted. Alexandra Petrovna disappeared into the smoke the moment the sparks rose.

As Camilla was about to look around to see where she had teleported, the Grand Duchess, who had already moved behind her, placed a hand on her shoulder.

“Like this.”

I inwardly marveled as I watched the Grand Duchess’s magic.

Most teleportation magic used by the military sets the arrival point in the air. This is because if coordinates get mixed up, one might teleport into a building or underground, risking one’s life, and also because the primary purpose of teleportation magic is aerial infiltration.

However, skilled special forces mages can set arrival points on the ground rather than in mid-air. We’re talking about combat mages with about 20 years of military experience.

Even such elite mages would perform teleportation only after receiving assistance from magical artifacts and considerable preparation, but the Grand Duchess just teleported behind Camilla in the blink of an eye from where she was sitting.

“Wow.”

As I was clapping my hands in spontaneous admiration, Alexandra Petrovna, having finished her demonstration, returned to her place with Camilla. Using teleportation magic, no less.

Many mages struggle just to move their own bodies, but she used magic while taking someone with her. The Grand Duchess truly deserved her title of great mage.

“Now, try again.”

Camilla used teleportation magic at the Grand Duchess’s signal. It was quite impressive to see her repeatedly use high-difficulty magic that even elite mages of the Magic Tower struggle with.

I wasn’t sure whether to be amazed at her innate talent or at the Grand Duchess’s excellent teaching. I couldn’t take my eyes off Camilla as she transformed into flames and moved here and there.

It was while I was staring at her.

“What do you think?”

The Grand Duchess, who had been watching the practice, began to ask me how I found Camilla’s magic.

“It’s amazing. I haven’t seen a mage handle teleportation so freely even in the military.”

“Is that so?”

Alexandra Petrovna nodded with a satisfied face. She seemed quite proud of Camilla’s ability to skillfully handle high-difficulty magic.

“People who can use teleportation magic are rare even in the Imperial Army. By the way, did you say you’ve never experienced teleportation magic?”

I nodded.

Teleportation magic is high-difficulty magic, and only a few mages can use it.

In the end, to use teleportation magic, one has to rely on magical artifacts. This is quite costly. That’s why both the Abas Department of Defense and the Kien Empire Department of Defense conduct most airborne training using hot air balloons, and regular drops also utilize airships. Teleportation magic is only briefly used in high-altitude training. It’s only properly used in wartime situations.

That’s why I haven’t experienced teleportation magic.

Of course, I’ve used warp gates many times, but magic that simply travels between fixed coordinates is classified as spatial movement, not teleportation. True teleportation magic is moving to a desired location, like Camilla does.

“Yes, I haven’t.”

As if understanding the situation, the Grand Duchess nodded.

The great mage, with her hands behind her back, was nodding thoughtfully.

Then suddenly, she spoke:

“Then it wouldn’t be a bad idea to experience it today.”

*

A moment later.

I stood on the grass with Camilla, wearing a sullen expression.

“…”

“What’s wrong? You look extremely anxious.”

“…Do I not have reason to be anxious?”

As Camilla looked up at me and our eyes met, Alexandra Petrovna, who had tidied up the surroundings, approached us.

Magic circles spread across the backyard. Blue magical power flowed through the circuits as the great mage who had completed the magic circle began to speak.

“Teleportation magic is fundamentally a magic for oneself. But not all mages use magic to move themselves.”

The Grand Duchess, showing her fingers, continued the explanation.

“There are largely two cases where a mage uses teleportation magic on a target other than themselves. First is moving inanimate objects to a desired location. Second is moving living beings to a desired location.”

“…”

“A more advanced mage can teleport with others to a desired location. Today, let’s practice this.”

Camilla responded energetically to Alexandra Petrovna’s words.

“Yes!”

While she was shaking her hair excitedly with a bright smile, I answered in a small voice as I spat out a red hair that had gotten into my mouth.

“…Yes.”

Unlike the smiling Camilla, I wore a sour expression. This was because I had been roped into participating in her teleportation magic practice.

To explain why I was helping with Camilla’s practice, I had to recall the proposal the Grand Duchess had made.

‘So, you’ve really never tried teleportation?’

‘Yes.’

‘Would you like to experience it once?’

‘Of course, absolutely.’

The Grand Duchess asked if I would like to try teleportation magic. An experience I’d never had before. And not just anything, but teleportation.

To be honest, teleportation magic was something I had always wanted to experience.

Of course, if I simply wanted to experience teleportation magic, I could have applied for the commissioned training that the Military Intelligence Agency sends to special forces units, but that’s training, not just an experience.

I wasn’t desperate enough to apply for commissioned training just to try magic once. While I wanted to experience teleportation magic, undergoing training was quite a hassle. And then suddenly, the Grand Duchess asked if I would like to try teleportation magic?

It was an offer I had no reason to refuse. So I eagerly accepted.

The problem was that I wouldn’t simply be experiencing teleportation and be done with it, but I would have to help with teleportation magic practice.

And the person using that magic would be none other than Camilla.

“…”

I looked at Camilla with anxious eyes. Seeming to notice my gaze, Camilla turned her head toward me.

“Why are you looking at me like that again?”

“Camilla. Please don’t dive into the fountain like before.”

“I told you I won’t. You’re just being unnecessarily scared…”

As Camilla teased me, calling me a coward with a smirk, I felt a strong urge to smack the top of her head.

How am I supposed to know whether you’ll dive into a fountain or crash into the ground?

I wanted to flee immediately, but unfortunately, it was difficult to withdraw from the Grand Duchess’s goodwill. Camilla was already gearing up to tease me.

In the end, I participated in the practice with the feeling of a Hanwoo beef cow being led to slaughter.

“Now, hold tight to prevent the magic from failing if you fall.”

“Yes.”

Following the Grand Duchess’s instructions, Camilla grabbed me. She firmly secured me with both arms so I couldn’t escape.

“Look forward to it.”

“…”

“I told you I’d show you some amazing magic, didn’t I?”

A wicked smile spread across Camilla’s face. Let me go, damn it. I want to go back.

Startled by that mischievous smile, I hastily tried to leave, but it was futile. Camilla firmly held onto me, interlocking her fingers.

Let go of my hand. I don’t want to. Please let me go. What can you even do?

The bickering continued. The struggle between someone trying to escape and someone trying to hold on. Watching this scene, the great mage smiled contentedly.

“It’s quite pleasant to see how affectionately you two treat each other.”

“No, does this look affectionate to you? Are you getting old and your eyesight is- mmph…!”

“Be quiet!”

Camilla, who had covered my mouth, nodded and signaled.

“We’re ready, Professor!”

“Good. Then without delay…”

“Mmph! Mph!”

Without even looking at me flailing my arms, Alexandra Petrovna, who had turned to check the magic circle, continued:

“Begin.”

“Here we go!”

The mage with a bright smile and the spy disappeared into the flames.

Sparks fluttered before my eyes.

A moment later.

Flames blossomed in the clear sky.