Chapter 103

Chapter 103

Otherworld Cheat Harem.

Episode 103: The Nightjar Does Not Sing (1)

After repairing the mansion with magic, Raize was dragged to Dojin’s room by him. Noah followed behind them.

Once they arrived at the room with Raize in tow, Dojin asked her to explain why she had done such a thing. She hesitated for a moment, then turned the question back on him.

“Do you know what kind of thing you’ve created?”

“…Honestly?”

“Yeah.”

“I don’t really know.”

“It’s something that kills all mages.”

The current magic society, they say, is an industry so stagnant that only a talented apprentice who dedicates half their life can barely use magic worthy of the name.

Noah’s creation was said to be something that would sweep away that stagnant mage industry like a typhoon.

“Then isn’t that a good thing? Why did you try to stop it?”

“When the wind blows in front of muddy water, can you avoid getting mud on you?”

However, something too good often faces resistance from those in power. Just like when Hi-Pass first came out on Earth and faced interference from big corporations, or when smartphones with Wi-Fi functions were released and telecom companies demanded the feature be removed.

Humans act for their own benefit, not for the benefit of all humanity. If it goes against their interests, they will block it, even if it negatively affects humanity as a whole.

“…Dojin, you don’t know the power of the Magic Tower. If you had left it alone, someone would have discovered it, and if that person wasn’t as moderate as I am, the Magic Tower’s hounds would have flown in to tear you apart.”

“The hounds of the Magic Tower…”

After hearing Raize’s explanation, Dojin fell into thought for a moment, then asked Raize again.

“Those hounds, are they stronger than the Holy Kingdom?”

“What?”

“I mean, can they beat the Holy Kingdom in a fight?”

“Of course, they’re not strong enough to beat the Holy Kingdom…”

“Then it’s fine.”

Dojin had connections with the Saintess. If things went south, he could seek asylum in the Holy Kingdom and request protection. Surely, the Saintess would gladly accept him.

However, there were numerous issues that would arise in such a case. There was the immediate problem of the dungeon.

‘I’ve heard there are dungeons in the Holy Kingdom too… but would my control work there?’

He wondered. If that were possible, it should have been possible to escape from a dungeon in the Dungeon City to one in another country, but considering it had never happened before, it seemed impossible from the start.

“Anyway, Raize, you did it because you were worried about us, right?”

“…Yeah.”

“Thank you.”

“…No, I’m sorry for not telling you.”

The only damage from this incident was that Seoyoon woke up in the middle of the night. The shattered roof was repaired by Raize using the power of magic with her staff.

Recalling the incident, Dojin, as if he had a good idea, asked Raize.

“Then, would you like to keep this?”

“What?”

“I mean, if the problem is non-mages using magic, wouldn’t it be better for a mage to carry it around and use it?”

In fact, Raize used this staff to perform magic far superior to Dojin’s. He still wasn’t confident he could replicate the magic she had displayed.

“No, that’s…”

“What’s the problem?”

“…If my skills suddenly improve, it might raise suspicions.”

“So what? I think the emergence of a genius mage unparalleled in the world is better than inventing a tool that lets just anyone use magic.”

Indeed, upon hearing those words, Raize nodded in agreement with his opinion. After all, if a mage is a genius beyond their understanding, they would welcome it.

However.

“Are you really sure about this?”

This staff was a masterpiece that Noah had poured her soul into, something that might never be created again.

If Raize had any ill intentions and ran away with the staff, Dojin would lose such an item.

Hearing this, he ruffled her hair. For someone so smart, there was a cute side to her.

“Are you going to run away?”

“No, not really…”

“Then what are you worried about?”

“…Right.”

Being smart often had this downside. Worrying unnecessarily about many things that haven’t even happened yet.

It’s not a bad thing. This caution probably helped her ancestors survive danger.

“Raize, you can take this and go back. You can secure a position at the Magic Tower.”

“…Me?”

Raize looked down at the staff. The essence of alchemy that allowed her to perform magic beyond her abilities.

If she had this, it was possible.

To become the Tower Master of the Magic Tower. The greatest mage.

To become Magia Magnus.

“If that’s what’s best for you…”

She would do it.

For Dojin.

The next day, Raize transformed the staff into a very thin gold leaf. And she consumed it. The intelligence artifact she devoured traveled throughout her body.

The feeling of metal tearing through her body was horrific. Yet at the same time, Raize felt her magical control increase to an incomparable level.

Is this the world that high-level mages see? Is this the world her master saw?

She thought so as she stepped into the Magic Tower.

“Ah, Raize. You stayed out again…”

“Ah, sorry. I don’t have the luxury to joke around.”

“Oh, oh? Okay…”

Raize passed by her friend and headed straight to her master’s workshop. Her master, whom she hadn’t seen in quite some time, welcomed her visit.

“It’s been a while, Raize. So, how is teaching the newcomers? Does it suit you?”

“…I have something to tell you, Master.”

“What is it?”

“I want to take the advanced mage exam.”

“…Raize, how old are you again?”

“I’m twenty-two.”

“Twenty-two… It’s an age full of vigor, indeed.”

Her master, Meteor, recalled what he was doing at her age. He, too, like her, was often caught up in the arrogance of being a genius and acted recklessly.

Stopping such waywardness is the true duty of a master, he thought, as he tried to dissuade her.

“I became an intermediate mage at thirty, and even that was praised as genius. Becoming an intermediate mage at your age, Raize, is nothing to be ashamed of…”

“Master, since when did mages become people who just talk?”

“…Raize. What kind of manners are those?”

“It was you, Master, who said that mages must always prove the truth through actions.”

“Ha, I won’t make an issue of this. Go to your room—”

“Anti-Gravity.”

As Raize said that and stomped on the floor, the gravity in the workshop vanished, and everything began to float.

Completely freed from the influence of gravity, Meteor looked at Raize in astonishment.

“You… No, how on earth…?”

“Master, I will say it once more. Intermediate mage Raize formally requests the advanced mage examination.”

Thunk, clatter.

With that declaration, gravity returned, and the items scattered around the workshop began to fall and shatter on the floor. However, neither Raize nor Meteor showed any particular reaction.

“Oh dear, my apologies.”

Raize said this and once again demonstrated her magic, gathering the spilled water and restoring the broken bottles.

Seeing her use advanced magic, which even her master couldn’t easily wield, without any incantation, Meteor felt a momentary fear.

“You, what is this…?”

Unbelievable. Yet the mage’s cold intelligence told him that she had risen to the same rank as an advanced mage like himself.

The history books everyone denied it; it was said that only the world’s first mage reached the level of an advanced mage in their twenties.

And Meteor was witnessing with his own eyes that those history books were true.

“…Just wait a little longer.”

“I don’t think I can wait long.”

“Let’s finish this in five minutes.”

Boom.

Meteor’s magic spread throughout the entire magic tower, and soon, the advanced mage meeting began.

Shortly after, it was unanimously decided to promote Raize to an advanced mage.

‘Don’t worry about the Magic Tower.’

For Dojin’s sake, this ivory tower is nothing. She’ll swallow it whole.

With Raize temporarily leaving the party for her mage promotion, Dojin filled her spot with Seoyoon.

At the same level 3 as Dojin, simply wielding her abilities, she massacred the werewolves, leaving Orion in disbelief at the sight.

‘…That’s a skill holder.’

A cheat user.

It wasn’t magic, nor was it a skill. It wasn’t a special ability that could be used by a naturally gifted bloodline, just a mutation born by chance.

The power that mutation displayed made Orion’s knees tremble.

‘What if it wasn’t the ability to create ice, but the ability to create fire?’

Seoyoon would have become the most efficient killing machine against elves. If she could display such power with just a level 3 ability, she could have burned down the World Tree or the Great Forest in an instant.

“What’s wrong?”

“…No, it’s nothing.”

Dojin approached and asked as he looked at Orion. Orion couldn’t bring herself to say that she felt too inadequate.

She was the only one in the party who wasn’t helpful. Eunha displayed superhuman traits as she slaughtered the werewolves.

Even when using a weapon, she failed to injure the werewolves.

Though not present now, Raize was skilled at using magic to instantly defeat monsters.

All she could do was perk up her ears and warn of the approaching monsters.

Seoyoon, who newly joined the party, showed such an overwhelming presence that the nickname “one-man army” came to mind.

…Even if she were to fight Seoyoon, she had no confidence in assassinating her.

‘Useless.’

She was useless. Orion realized that for the first time. If she had to find her usefulness, it would only be as a big-breasted, long-eared onahole.

Yet, Dojin didn’t embrace her. Even when she tried to seduce him, he pretended not to notice and pushed her away.

Why was that? She didn’t think she lacked sexual appeal.

“Orion!”

“Ah, yes— kyaah!”

Orion was lost in thought and let her guard down significantly. And in a dungeon, letting your guard down leads to severe injuries. From afar, a werewolf’s claws turned her arm into a tattered rag.

Dojin immediately swung his sword, slashing the werewolf, and checked Orion’s wound.

Blood was gushing out. There was no time to sprinkle a potion for recovery. Seoyoon quickly used her ability to freeze the wounded area.

“Are you okay?”

“Yes, yes… I’m sorry… I let my guard down.”

“…No, it’s okay. Let’s just head back for today.”

“I’m sorry… I’m sorry…”

Dojin took Orion and exited the dungeon. He headed straight for the mansion, where the world’s best healer was waiting.

Aram, who was cooking and preparing lunch at the mansion, quickly ran over at Dojin’s call and was shocked to see Orion’s arm.

“What happened to your arm?”

“It’s injured.”

“…I can see that much.”

She placed her hand on Orion’s forearm, and Seoyoon immediately lifted her ability. At the same time, Aram’s ability activated, and Orion’s forearm returned to normal.

“…Thank you.”

“Please don’t get hurt next time. Ugh… I hate this because it tastes awful.”

After healing Orion’s injury, Aram absorbed the injury into her own body and ended up drinking a potion made by Noah to heal herself.

She always asked for a strawberry flavor, but Aram gulped down the indescribably strange-tasting potion and then led the group to the dining room, saying they might as well eat since they were there.

While eating the meal Aram prepared, Dojin asked Orion,

“Why did that happen all of a sudden?”

“Huh? Ah… It’s nothing. I’ve just been feeling a bit off lately…”

“Really? Then make sure to rest well. It’s not like there’s anything urgent…”

“Yes…”

Hearing there was nothing urgent, Orion’s heart only grew more anxious. Dojin might have plenty of time, but she did not.

If other races heard someone like her, who lives almost eternally, say she was short on time, they’d laugh it off as a joke. But Orion resented her own race.

‘Because we’re a long-lived species, our growth is slow…’

Orion was considered quite talented among elves. But there were limits. Without urgency, growth was never fast.

‘If only this were the Great Forest…’

If she were near the World Tree, filled with spirits, she might have been of some help.

But this was Dungeon City, a city where spirits had all left due to artificial development.

There was no way she could be of help here.

“I’ll be going now, Leader.”

“Return safely.”

“Yes.”

Orion said this as she left the dining hall. As she wandered aimlessly around the mansion, she heard singing from somewhere.

─♪♬♩

“…What is this?”

A beautiful voice and lyrics that matched perfectly. Though it was in a foreign language she didn’t understand, it sounded incredibly mystical to her, an elf.

In the end, Orion stopped leaving the mansion and moved towards the direction of the singing. She then discovered a woman singing in the backyard by the pond.

Orion hesitated upon discovering the singing woman.

“…That is.”

“Lalala∼.”

As the enchanting melody played, the spirits danced along.