episode_0018

I thought a lot.

Because a means called fantasy, which is in fact a cheat, has been created.

‘I like card games, strategy games, and dungeon RPGs.’

After discussing with the wizards for three days and nights, everything was postponed for now.

The reason was simple. Because, unlike me, the life and death of Arche Magic Tower really depended on this matter.

I just want to try it! It was also true that there were many problems in pursuing it just for that reason.

‘In the end, the biggest problem is… … It’s a barrier to entry.’

Entry barriers.

It could be complicated rules, extra supplies needed, or it could be time spent playing a board game you don’t know much about.

Strategy games are fun. It can be said to be the flower and charm of board games, but it takes up several hours per game and it is difficult to have much fun until you fully understand the complex rules.

So I passed on.

The card game was good too. If you make a monster card, it appears as an illusion, and even battle, magic, and trap cards can be realized as an illusion, but the problem is that you need a ‘card’ in the end.

Illusions ultimately have no substance, so cards must be made in real life, but in the current Magic Tower situation where even small expenditures are regrettable, playing a card game where you don’t know how many cards you need to prepare was a bit of a gamble.

Above all, although I could recite the rules of a strategy board game, I was not confident about the balance between cards or the detailed rules.

So hold off.

There were many other miscellaneous games, but what I valued most were ‘visual effects’ and ‘experience’.

I want to try that board game myself. To make me feel like I want to play one more game.

To be able to use illusions as splendidly as possible, and to give such illusions the irreplaceable fun that only Arche Magic Tower can provide.

Even if others copy it, it is a board game that requires you to find the Arche Tower to experience true fun.

That’s how I chose .

There is a word called ‘Abracadabra’ in this world, so the name itself was changed to that. I guess it’s easier to remember names that are a little more familiar.

‘It’s not a groundbreaking or great masterpiece, but it’s just a fun game.’

It is enough to know just three rules.

First, you can’t see your own magic. You can only see other people’s magic.

Second, if you memorize a magic that does not exist, your life will be reduced.

Third, if you succeed, you can recite magic continuously.

But Abrakawat’s core rule was what I was aiming for.

You have to memorize the magic right away.

In the original world, it was just an element that made people laugh with a line from a middle school student or a cringe-worthy sentiment.

What if a fantasy that is no different from reality is added to it?

‘It’s a world where magic exists, but not everyone is a wizard.’

Rather, wizards are extremely rare even by the standards of this world. It’s not for nothing that the hegemonic empire supports and gives preferential treatment to the Magic Tower.

Moreover, if it becomes popular again and people come to Arche Magic Tower, most of them will be ordinary people like me.

In order to attract people with a completely new board game, rather than a board game that was widely known within the empire like the original giant board game, it had to have a huge impact.

For example, a board game that gives you the experience of being a real wizard, even if it’s just an illusion.

‘But, honestly.’

It’s completely unselfish… … No, it wasn’t.

Abrakawat ended up being one of my favorite board games.

It was just right, so what should I do?

‘so.’

It’s been a long time, let’s just enjoy it.

I really liked it.

… … A board game that helped me get through difficult times.

*

Vermily Archon was happy with the current situation.

Because he was a board game enthusiast who was recognized by Arche Magic Tower.

Even though I am a hobbyist, there is only one board game that is played in the magic tower where talented people from all over the continent gather, and that is currently on the giant board game board.

Still, I thought he was quite enthusiastic.

‘I was a frog in a well.’

Although Vermily was called a demon who played the board game Churai Churai by those around her.

Compared to the ‘real thing’ out there, he was just a criminal.

‘Abracadabra, la.’

I’ve heard of it. I don’t use it now, but it was one of the sounds I often recited when using magic in the past.

Any wizard who has learned the history of magic can say, “Oh, that?” A name I know.

It was a great idea to choose that as the name of the board game.

But more than that.

Vermily was thrilled by the board game itself called Abracadabra.

‘It looks complicated at first glance, but in reality it is simple.’

It’s just a game where you have to guess which monument is in front of you.

However, by adding the concepts of magic attacks, competition, and penalties, it was transformed into a board game of excellent quality.

Could this really come from the head of a young man who had just passed the terms and conditions?

He was even more shocked because he had tried to make a board game on his own.

‘No, no.’

Still, now is not the time to think about such things.

In the end, all that mattered was that I had the opportunity to play a board game from a genius creator.

It had only been a few days, but Vermily, who had become Kyle’s fan, laughed wildly.

“Okay then.”

Which magic should I choose?

Vermily’s gaze kindly opened the manual that came to mind.

‘[Dragon Breath], [Reaper’s Whisper], [God’s Sanctuary], [Eye of Truth], [Lightning Magic], [Ice Magic], [Fire Magic].’

From grade 1 to grade 7 in order, according to Kyle’s explanation, there are only the same number of tombstones as each grade. So, if you add up all the tombstones, there will be 28.

There is only 1 of the most powerful [Dragon Breath], and there are 7 of the lowest grade [Fire Magic]. Kyle had already memorized one, so there were only six left.

‘hmm? But didn’t you say there are 8 types of magic?’

However, there are only 7 types of magic listed in the manual.

For a moment, Vermily thought that Kyle had explained things wrong.

‘… … … uh?’

At the very bottom of the manual.

Unusually, there was text highlighted in red.

[One of the hidden magics is randomly provided to the player whose life reaches 1 first.]

Ah, this is it.

I’m so curious about what this hidden magic is, but the conditions are so precarious.

With 1 life, it would be game over no matter what magic I hit.

Even if you receive hidden magic, you may be eliminated before your turn even comes.

‘But it will be just as powerful.’

Just remember this for now.

Vermily thought for a moment and then raised her hands above her head.

As a person who loves board games, he wanted to get a little too involved like Kyle.

“Lightning storm!”

“… … … !!”

“Oh!”

Level 5 [Lightning Magic].

Unlike the 7th grade [Fire Magic], it is a more advanced magic that causes both people to lose 1 life instead of just one.

The higher the grade, the smaller the probability. To put it simply, the odds were 5 in 28, or roughly 18 percent. Considering the [Lightning Magic] that Kyle and Adela have now, it will be even lower.

It’s not a high probability, but it’s the same for other magic anyway.

There were fewer spells of grade 4 or higher, so the highest grade that could be called with ease was [Lightning Magic].

And his judgment was correct.

Kwazijijik!!

“This is the tower owner’s fantasy… … !!”

A dark cloud appears above the hand stretched out above his head, and then dazzling lightning covers the cloud and falls on him.

For a moment, he felt despondent as if it was a penalty for memorizing the wrong spell, but instead of burning his life, the lightning only ran over his body.

It’s an illusion, so there’s no chance of getting an electric shock, but Vermily’s whole body blinks bright blue as if she’s really been struck by lightning.

“This… … !”

But what astonished Vermily was not just the splendor.

When you move your body, the lightning moves along. If you tilt your hand, the dark clouds will move accordingly.

That meant incredibly precise illusion control.

‘Illusion is not something that can reside somewhere. It will only look that way and will not change on its own depending on my movements.’

Nevertheless, the lightning naturally follows him.

It’s probably the work of Orphin, the archmage and tower owner. Now that the control has reached this level, I was able to have a unique experience with Vermily.

He is a wizard of the Arche Magic Tower, based on light and darkness. Even if it is implemented as an illusion, other elemental magic cannot be used.

But now, he made me feel like he was a magician who could control lightning.

Without waiting any longer, he stretched out his hands towards Adela and Kyle respectively, guided by the lightning running through his body!

“… … … … … .”

“Vermilie, this is a great performance.”

“Ha, haha!”

It’s not that there’s no shame in such behavior, but more than that, it’s enjoyable.

After all, there were no onlookers who laughed at him for being childish in front of the overwhelming fantasy of the Olpin Magic Tower.

A strange feeling, as if I had returned to being a child.

Vermily nodded in satisfaction amidst a fit of giggling laughter.

“End your turn with this.”

As soon as the end is announced, another tombstone falls in place of the collapsed lightning magic tombstone.

And Vermilli has something engraved in the middle, in the middle, between the three players.

“That… … … ?”

“The magic someone memorizes is recorded there. You can see how many magics are left in the future.”

[Fire Magic] Number remaining, 6. [Lightning Magic] Number remaining, 4.

Is it really possible to figure out the number and make inferences using that?

Vermily, who was in a state of enjoyment anyway, didn’t pay much attention.

He inadvertently turned his gaze to the next player.

‘Adela, how are you?’

The greatest disciple of the Olpin Mage Tower master, a genius born from the Arche Mage Tower, and a wizard who is certain to become the next Mage Tower master.

But Vermily felt sorry for Adela. The other wizards in the tower also thought the same way.

No matter how close she tried to get, the distance wouldn’t close, and although she was a capable mage, she was nothing but mechanical, and she didn’t even have one of those common hobbies.

Therefore, Vermillie hoped that Adela would have fun through this board game, no matter how slim the possibility.

Olpin, the tower lord, Vermilion, and other wizards in the tower.

… … … Because I owed money to Adela’s dead parents.

*

──Taplord, then what is my jealousy?

──… … Knowing that would be the first thing.

‘… … I don’t know.’

I do not know. I don’t know anything.

I kept thinking about Olpin Mage Tower’s words, but I couldn’t figure it out.

What on earth am I jealous of?

‘He’s not from a high-ranking family, he’s the third son, and he’s incompetent.’

Which part?

How much did you worry about that?

Suddenly, a voice reached Adela’s ears.

“Adella! I’m sorry you’re wondering, but it’s your turn to memorize the magic.”

“… … … You.”

“There are three lives left. Doesn’t this mean you’ll be eliminated before your next turn comes?”

leaving out? What’s the point of being eliminated?

If it weren’t for what the top owner said in the first place, I wouldn’t have played the board game with you.

If you just lose, you lose… … …

ah.

‘… … Jin, you say it?’

In front of the tower owner and all the wizards in the tower.

I don’t know why, but to that person I hate anyway.

Can’t do anything and lose badly?

‘that.’

That’s it.

“Absolutely not… … !!”

It’s okay to lose to Vermeili. Because she was a wizard from the same tower, and the wizards from the Magic Tower were like family to her.

But only to you, Kyle Byron.

I don’t want to lose.

If you lose, the tower owner and everyone’s interest───

‘First, we need to restore life.’

Although it was her first time playing a board game, Adela understood the context of Abracadabra.

Adela’s remaining lives are three, Kyle’s remaining lives are also three, and only Vermeili remains at the original five.

If you memorize the wrong spell here, your life will be reduced to two, and as Kyle said, there is a high possibility that you will be eliminated before the next turn.

Even just to prevent that.

Now, the best thing to do is not to attack blindly, but to restore life.

“… … … God’s sanctuary.”

Wow.

Level 3 magic, [God’s Sanctuary].

The effect of the magic, which is the only recovery method in Abracadabra, is to recover 3 points of life.

I didn’t mix up my movements like Kyle or Vermeili did. I just recite magic in a low voice.

Soon, an angelic figure imbued with brilliance descended in the middle of the three players, and one of the angel’s three hands was pointed at Adella.

[God’s Sanctuary] was not present on the other two tombstones. If this works, you can immediately gain an advantage.

As long as it works… … …

“… … … .”

“… … Oh my.”

But the three-handed angel did not give Adela life.

He just looks at her with a sad expression, and instead grabs one of her life forms with his outstretched hand and crushes it.

With this, there are only two lives left.

This is a dangerous area where Kyle and Vermeili can be eliminated even if they are allowed to use magic just once.

Adela hurriedly turned her head towards the next person.

“Adella.”

“Ah… … … !”

“Do you know?”

Grade 7, [Fire Magic].

The flame that attacked Adela, which signaled the start of the board game, burns again.

“Wow, billion!?”

“… … … ?”

Adela gritted her teeth at the impending fireball, but the flames were aimed at Kyle, not her. The flame that burned and continued to burn consumed Kyle and his life.

Adela swallowed her saliva involuntarily as she watched Kyle’s life decrease from three to two.

‘Lucky… … It was good.’

All I could say was that I was truly lucky. Even though Kyle memorized one, there were still six fire spells left.

It was the most likely way for Kyle to attack her, and Adela avoided it.

Can this be called the realm of stability?

Adela’s anxious gaze turned to Vermeil.

‘If you succeed in using magic twice in a row… … … .’

Magic is not something that can be recited only once per turn. If you continue to succeed, you can memorize the number of tombstones in front of you up to 5 times in a row.

It’s Vermilli who hit the target with [Lightning Magic], which had a rather low probability earlier. There is no way to avoid losing both lives here.

Unlike Adella, who looked a bit nervous and clenched her fists, Vermely, who looked relaxed, glanced at Kyle and her and raised her hand.

“Ice Spear!”

Vermily’s choice was level 6 [Ice Magic].

The effect is to reduce the life of the player on the right by 1.

Of course, the one on the right of Vermily was Adela.

Damn it!

“… … … … .”

The monument carved with ice and a wizard collapses, and Vermeili’s ice spear pierces Adella’s heart.

But why?

It’s obviously just an illusion.

Adela really felt like something had been struck in her chest.

‘Why not that guy…? … … ‘Is it me?’

Could it be because he implicitly thought that Vermeili, whom he regarded as a member of the same magic tower and family, would naturally target Kyle?

Adela felt betrayed by something unknown. It could have been two lives, so why were you targeting me? What on earth is Vermily thinking?

However, her thoughts did not last long.

Immediately, Vermily memorized another spell.

“And, Dragon Breath… … … !!!”

“… … … !!”

Grade 1, only one magic exists [Dragon Breath].

Adela’s eyes widened as she remembered the effect.

‘[Dragon Breath] inflicts 3 damage and distributes it to other players at will… … !!’

Only then did he seem to be able to read Vermily’s thoughts. I was able to realize what he was aiming for.

‘Victory!’

Why did you target Adela and not Kyle? Anyway, all you have to do is combine the two lives to make it 3.

The remaining numbers of [Ice Magic] and [Fire Magic] are the same. Since Vermily can see what Kyle and Adela’s tombstones are, he must have identified them and picked the one with the higher probability. It was just [ice magic].

Vermilie, who came up with a plan like that, took a gamble.

You can finish the game in no time with the highest level of magic!

Grrr

“… … Oh my god.”

And, a dragon appears according to Vermalle’s magic.

Instead of appearing near the player or appearing in the center like the magic used to do so far.

The three players appear on the ceiling of the magic tower, which can only be seen when they raise their heads, as if to show off that they are the greatest life forms on the continent.

Although it was not large, its dark red skin, pulsating muscles, and flames burning from its mouth made you realize that it was indeed a dragon.

It was truly the height of fantasy that could be realized by an Olpin magic tower owner who had met and hunted a dragon.

Puhwaaa!!!

Flames pour out from the black dragon’s mouth.

The illusion of [Fire Magic] was great enough, but the Dragon’s Breath was different.

Without spreading out unnecessarily, just in a straight line.

Blue flames with a temperature far exceeding the red flames of the wizards rush in.

Where is that magnificent breath headed?

Adela knew the outcome. Because she had a clear view of Vermily’s tombstone.

so that.

“What!?”

“… … … … .”

Adela was relieved.

Because she was given the opportunity to eliminate Kyle directly with her own hands, not with Vermily.

The blue flame’s breath swallowed Vermily whole and at the same time burned his life.

With this, Vermily now has four lives left.

It was still more than the lives of Adela and Kyle combined.

“Ah… … I thought it was the perfect opportunity. It’s a shame.”

It’s Adela’s turn again. When I failed [God’s Ministry], I thought it would be impossible, but I was given one more chance.

This is the last chance to eliminate Kyle and not lose to him.

‘but… … … .’

Adela has one life left. If you memorize the wrong spell, you will immediately destroy yourself.

In contrast, Vermilie has four lives left, and Kyle has two lives left.

Can we overcome this hopeless situation?

The vagueness that it seemed impossible came before the hope that I could do it.

“Adella.”

“… … … … ?”

“You read the entire manual, right?”

“Explanation, please?”

“It is not only the last, but also a golden opportunity.”

Adella looked at the manual without thinking at Kyle’s incomprehensible words.

“… … … Huh?”

My attention was focused on the red letters in the manual.

The Allpin Mage Tower owner, who had been silently watching the three players while building illusions, opened his mouth.

” Since Adela’s life reached 1 first, hidden magic is provided to her according to the rules. ”

“Tap Lord.”

“Adela, give it a try.”

Ugh.

A small tombstone handmade by Olpin flies in front of Adela.

Is hidden magic provided so that it can be used immediately without being seen?

Everyone’s attention is focused on her, including players, onlookers, and tower owners.

At the same time, a somewhat familiar picture of a middle-aged man and woman holding hands caught Adella’s eyes.

[Continued magic: The effect of the magic you memorize next is applied twice.]

“… … … This is.”

Adela had a hunch.

Really, no matter what happens.

In her turn this time–everything must end.