Became the Unjust Contract Slave of the Archamage's Book-Chapter 23

“There was a disturbance on campus.”

“The main culprits were the tournament winner and the runner-up, correct?”

“Both were students personally guided by you, right?”

“Yes…”

This was the terrifying aspect of the Tower Master.

She was a serene, almost spirit-like presence, someone who was an emblematic figure revered by all.

She rarely involved herself in the tower’s affairs, leaving many professors wondering if she truly existed.

Yet, conversing with her revealed that she had eyes and ears everywhere within the tower.

In this place, at least, there was nothing she didn’t know.

“It seems you were even present at the scene of the disturbance, Dean.”

“Well, that’s true, but…”

“But?”

“I was too flustered to stop it in time. I apologize.”

Her pink veil fluttered slightly.

“Is she smiling?” Yulio wondered.

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“You were flustered. And what about the problem involving your cherished princess?”

Dean Yulio swallowed hard.

She knew everything and yet feigned ignorance to torment him.

“I thought it was a good opportunity for her. I’m sorry.”

“When did the rule prohibiting student conflicts on campus become subject to your personal discretion, Dean?”

“I have no excuse.”

“So, all three troublemakers were students under your guidance?”

Dean Yulio had no words.

She wasn’t someone who meddled easily in the tower’s affairs, but she wasn’t one to neglect any incidents either.

The truth was that Dean Yulio had overreached.

Rike had been hastily added to the selection list due to urgent news from the Empire, which was a mistake.

With more thought, a better solution could have been found.

Dean Yulio couldn’t predict her response. Would the Tower Master punish him?

Just as he was ready to accept any punishment, the Tower Master spoke.

“The students involved in the disturbance should be punished.”

“Pardon? No, it wasn’t their fault. I should be held accountable. Elfenbine, please punish me instead.”

“Why? The students caused the problem, so they should be punished. Unless you’re admitting you instigated this incident?”

Dean Yulio hadn’t given any such orders.

Even if he did confess, it seemed unlikely she would believe him.

“The punishment I’m issuing is as follows: Frederica Albrecht, Binaeril Dalheim, Sylvia. These three students will share the outcome of the Scholar Exam.”

“Share the outcome…?”

“If any one of them fails the Scholar Exam, all three will be considered failures. Since it was for the princess that the other two caused a commotion, she must share the responsibility.”

The unexpected punishment momentarily froze Dean Yulio’s mind.

He was so stunned that the Tower Master asked him.

“Is the punishment insufficient?”

“No, not at all. I’ll inform the parties involved.”

Dean Yulio bowed deeply.

Considering the rule-breaking, it was an incredibly light punishment.

“Why is Elfenbine being so lenient?” he wondered.

Though he didn’t understand the punishment, he was grateful.

“Thank you, Elfenbine.”

“Thank you? I’m issuing a punishment. You may go.”

Her expression was hard to read behind the veil, but Dean Yulio’s experience suggested she wasn’t displeased.

Until just before the Scholar Exam, Binaeril and his friends had little to do.

They focused on special classes and personal training since the details of the Scholar Exam were kept secret.

It made sense, as the Scholar Exam was Elfenbine’s final hurdle.

Passing this exam would determine if one became a certified mage or remained an aspirant.

Participants in the exam had to swear an oath (Gyas) not to disclose any details, even if they failed.

A mage’s oath was far from a simple promise; it was binding due to the magical power in their words.

“Wait, how did Professor Freud inform the students about the exam content?” Binaeril wondered while taking the oath with other participants.

-An oath is absolute, but it strictly follows its conditions. Professor Freud must have twisted the terms with vague wording, Veritas explained.

-Ah, I see.

-Be careful if you ever have to make an oath. Vague wording makes it worse than useless. Never take an oath lightly.

Horror stories of mages trapped by poorly made oaths were well known, even to those with minimal magical knowledge.

Mages who lived in perpetual agony, became living corpses, or lost their magical abilities for absurd reasons.

Oaths were frequent in popular romance novels, but wise mages rarely took them in reality.

“I doubt I’ll need to take any,” Binaeril thought.

-You never know.

“Scholar candidates, read the text and take the oath.”

The students recited the oath in unison.

“As masters of infinite imagination…”

The oath was long, covering all potential loopholes to prevent any leaks.

Reading the lengthy pledge made Binaeril marvel at how Professor Freud had managed to circumvent it.

“…I vow upon my soul.”

After the long recitation, the participants stood before individual doors.

“Once you enter, the exam begins. The Scholar Exam consists of three stages. Let your imagination guide you. Good luck.”

With those words, the examiners left. Binaeril glanced around at the other participants.

There were about twenty of them. Rike and Sylvia were also looking around, searching for each other.

“See you inside.”

Binaeril smiled warmly at them.

The three had heard about the punishment from Dean Yulio.

They would either pass together or fail together. They were truly bound by fate.

Binaeril stepped through the door into a blinding light.

Honestly, failing would be harder, he thought.

On the other side of the door, a completely different space unfolded.

Gray, damp bricks, and a musty, unpleasant atmosphere.

“What is this? A dungeon?”

Even the small window had bars.

He looked back, but the way out was gone.

As he walked, he realized the corridor wasn’t a straight path.

It twisted, branched off, and sometimes ended abruptly.

“It’s a maze. The first stage is a maze.”

“Let there be light.”

He attempted to cast a light spell, but it didn’t work. He tried again, but still nothing.

“Can’t use magic?”

Without magic, Binaeril was just a slightly strong teenager.

As he began to panic, fear crept in.

Then Veritas spoke.

-There’s a restriction on imagination.

-This space isn’t ordinary. It’s an artificially created space.

“What do you mean?”

-This entire maze is within someone’s magic. The caster has placed a restriction preventing anyone under the oath from using magic.

“So, I just have to wander around and find the exit?”

-Wander around? Do you hear that?

“Hear what?”

Before he could finish, Binaeril heard an ominous noise.

In the darkness, an unnatural sound approached.

“Grrr…”

Suddenly, the corridor lit up as if a light bulb had been turned on.

Binaeril’s senses were overwhelmed, but he quickly realized the light was the eyes of a monster.

“A Stitch.”

A bat-like monster, Stitch.

The most notable feature of the Stitch that Binaeril remembered was,

-They live in groups and attack intruders in their territory.

“Oh, shit…”

The Stitches, using their oversized ears as wings, flew at Binaeril.

“Kiyaaah!”

Their ultrasonic screeches echoed through the narrow space, making his ears ring.

“What am I supposed to do with monsters when I can’t use magic?”

Veritas laughed gleefully as Binaeril struggled.

The combined noise of the Stitches and Veritas’ laughter was maddening.

Binaeril turned and ran for his life.