Make Dark Fantasy Great Again-Chapter 33: The Caig Mage Tower

“Master Balaka?”

Glia pitifully searched for the necromancer who had manifested through her body...but there was no response. She sensed the connection between Balaka and herself had been completely severed.

Balaka had returned to where the dead rightfully belonged—the spirit realm. She abandoned all the efforts made to return to this world since her death, perhaps even risking never being able to return again.

“Why?”

A most irreverent reason flashed through Glia’s mind.

She fled.

Suddenly, Glia slumped lifelessly. Salana had sneaked behind, striking the back of her neck.

With that, the scheme of the shaman backed by a necromancer concluded as a mere disturbance.

“Miss Salana, if you’ll excuse me for a moment.”

Risir moved without hesitation, walking over to touch Salana’s scar.

“Ah...”

Salana unconsciously placed her hand over Risir’s, not knowing how to describe the sensation she felt. It was like the filth that had clung to every part of her body was being washed away.

Moments later, Risir removed his hand and Salana immediately took out a mirror to check herserlf.

Completely cured. No other expression was necessary. Salana’s skin had regained its natural color. Though scars and wounds remained, they were now easily treatable with just a fraction of the effort Salana had been putting in until now.

She spent a while gazing at her reflection, caressing her restored skin, while Risir smiled contentedly at her.

He figured this counted as a great success in achieving his initial goal of making a good impression on the high-tier adventurer. Risir had high hopes for this aspect.

You really can’t get anything done as a bastard, huh.

This was something he had keenly felt throughout this incident.

Risir’s illegitimate status easily led to being dismissed, even though he was invited to help based on his ability.

If not for high-tier adventurer Salana’s full support, he wouldn’t have been able to say or do anything. And without the name of the esteemed Durayegs, even his power of normalization wouldn’t have been accepted.

But what if I’d been a high noble instead?

There was no need to even think deeply. The moment he revealed his ability at the first meeting with Salana, everything would have been resolved smoothly. Salana would’ve begged for aid, Meltas would’ve walked on eggshells, and Glia would’ve trembled in her shoes.

Thus, Risir came to one conclusion.

Maybe I gotta aim for social advancement.

Despite his belief that escaping his life as a bastard would free him from the constraints of social status, it was quite the opposite.

Another essential element was added to Risir’s idea of a happy life: money and social status.

In that sense, this connection with Salana was very meaningful. With just a nod from a high-tier adventurer, establishing himself in Bondalles and laying the groundwork for social advancement would become much easier.

While Risir organized his mind, Salana had sorted out her own thoughts and spoke up.

“Risir. Let me introduce myself formally once again. I am Black Serpent, a master of the Black Hand. You might find it more relatable if I say I’m a master of the Assassin’s Guild.”

“?”

Wot.

Risir was bemused. He had expected her formal introduction to be about her experiences as a high-tier adventurer in Bondalles, but...what? A master of the Assassin’s Guild?

I mean, I guess that makes her even bigger than a high-tier adventurer...Yeah but...Hmm...

Risir’s eyes trembled uncontrollably.

Finding his reaction endearing, Salana laughed in her hearty way before continuing.

“I owe you a great debt. I’ve been thinking about how to repay it, and this is all I could come up with.”

Swoosh. Salana handed Risir a piece of parchment she pulled from her bosom.

“If you ever have someone you want dead, write their name on this. Then, even if it means breaking the rules, I’ll fulfill your wish.”

“?”

Risir was dumbfounded.

What is this, a Death Note...?!

The reward differed vastly from his expectation.

I guess it’s a huge reward that can’t even be compared to connections with high-tier adventurers...But still...Hmm...

Taking Risir’s confusion in stride, Salana pressed the parchment into his hand, urging him to put it away.

Risir was shocked by Salana’s casual attitude, as if she were handing him some pocket money rather than an ominous object.

Suddenly, Meltas spoke up from behind.

“Is it appropriate for someone who calls herself a master to be so worldly?”

He seemed more flustered now than when he had witnessed the necromancer manifest from death.

Assassins were typically reclusive. They took lives solely for the beliefs they held and isolated themselves thoroughly from the outside world.

Despite being seen as figures of terror in the public eye, their lives were more akin to those of monks. Yet here she was, masquerading as a high-tier adventurer in the secular world, casually handing out death warrants.

And she wasn’t just any assassin—she was a master, one of a guild’s elites.

“Blind faith is noble, they say.”

The way she nodded humbly, it was as if she meant: I’m not noble, so I’ll do as I please.

Meltas thought Salana was indeed an assassin worthy of being feared in the truest sense.

“Meltas. I’m asking just in case, but do you have any intention of taking what happened here today outside? Even a little?”

Salana spoke in the cheerful manner of the high-tier adventurer Meltas remembered. But those eyes...those dead eyes that seemed to absorb the surrounding light sent chills down the old scholar’s spine.

Without a doubt, she was someone even Meltas, a 6th rank mage and elite of the Caig Mage Tower, couldn’t treat carelessly.

“I must be getting old, with my memory all hazy...I can’t even remember why I came here.”

“Haha, old age isn’t worth living for? There’s no need for such self-deprecation, y’know.”

“...My memory must really be failing. When did I ever say such a thing?”

Salana slung Glia’s unconscious body over her shoulder. Then she went over to Risir, playfully patting his face.

“You know what? Thanks to you, I’ve lost my excuse to wander outside.”

“Ah...Did I do something wrong?”

“Haha, I’ll let it slide. Honestly, I was starting to get bored anyhow. By the way...”

She gently stroked Risir’s face with her palm.

“You’ve got really nice skin, huh?”

“Do I?”

“Uh-huh. I’m almost tempted to switch it with mine if I could.”

“...It’s a bit scary when you say that after revealing you’re an assassin.”

“Haha. What do you think assassins are?”

Salana took Risir’s hand and placed it on her scarred cheek.

“One last time. Can you do that again for me?”

I don’t suppose she wants me to use my power again, so...

Risir gently caressed her cheek.

“...”

Salana closed her eyes and surrendered herself to his touch.

“Mmm~ This feeling. I could get addicted to it. Should I just take it with me?”

“...My arm?”

“Oh seriously, what do you really take me for?”

Salana continued to enjoy Risir’s touch for quite a time after that.

For a short while, Risir thought she looked like a large puppy, moving her head to follow his hand.

“Alright, that’s enough. Risir. If the chance comes, let’s meet again someday.”

With that said, Salana left without looking back.

Bewildered, Risir took out the parchment from his pocket to check it.

“Remember this, young man. You must exercise the utmost caution when using that thing.”

A pale-faced Meltas offered a warning from the side.

“But of course.”

“Ahem. Well then, shall we get going?”

Meltas fiddled with his braided beard as he spoke.

“We...you said?”

“Why? Do you have other business after this?”

Risir recalled his plans before meeting Salana. Originally, he was going to have a meal with Fienne and then visit the Adventurers’ Guild after parting ways. Their common goal for the day had been to find a job.

Meltas cleared his throat and continued speaking before Risir could respond.

“Let me get straight to the point. I’ve taken an interest in you, Risir.”

“...”

Risir hugged himself defensively, his expression serious.

Meltas shot him an even more deadpan glare.

Risir uncrossed his arms, nodded, and carried on the conversation as if nothing had happened.

“What business could Sir Meltas have with this bastard?”

“...Ahem. I understand. You must be holding onto my initial attitude towards you. However, this could benefit you as well, so I hope you’ll listen with an open mind. Tell me, what do you think of the Caig Mage Tower?”

The Caig Mage Tower, also known as the Gray Tower.

This group, known for being the most liberal-minded among all mage towers, was one of the representative institutions of Bondalles.

“To be frank, I’d like to recommend you as an apprentice to the Caig Mage Tower. Let me be clear, you should realize this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

Meltas was right, and that’s why Risir was taken aback.

“But I have no prestigious family or magical school to boast of.”

Few places were as particular about status and background as the mage towers. Even Meltas, who had been furious about an illegitimate child participating on equal footing, was considered open-minded compared to the mages affiliated with the tower.

“The minimum requirement for joining the tower isn’t about family or school. It’s about reaching the 3rd rank. You do barely satisfy that condition, don’t you?”

“As far as I know, the tower doesn’t accept just anyone who reaches the 3rd rank.”

“Of course not. Reaching the 3rd rank at your age is something anyone can do. It’s undoubtedly the realm of the ordinary. And the tower is certainly not a kind place for the ordinary. Yet, I intend to recommend you to the tower. Do you know why?”

“Is it my power of normalization?”

“Exactly! I’m glad you’re not so foolish as to not recognize the uniqueness of that ability.”

When the power of normalization was mentioned, Meltas’ demeanor visibly lit up with excitement.

“A power that can eradicate all negative energies regardless of type! Good heavens! I, Meltas Dradnov, have never heard of such a power in my entire life dedicated to magic!”

Meltas pointed a trembling finger at Risir.

“You have a duty! A duty to fully bloom that special talent as a mage. Surely you understand what I’m saying? As one who walks the path of magic, that is!”

“...I’m not sure if this is the right time to say it...but honestly, magic is just a way to make a living for me.”

“FWHAAT!!!”

Meltas froze, his shriek echoing like a death wail.

It took a long, long while for him to recover from the shock.

“Why did such a special talent end up on someone like this...!”

Meltas’ braided beard and hair trembled.

“Do you think someone like me could adapt to the tower?”

“...Ahem. Well, I suggest you come and have a look first. We shouldn’t rush this sort of matter.”

Risir gladly agreed. Building connections with the tower would surely be beneficial in many ways.

***“Oh wait, there’s a place I must stop by before reaching the tower. I have something to find there. Is that alright?”

This chapter is updat𝙚d by freeweɓnovel.cøm.

“Sure thing.”

The two left the laboratory and headed towards the center of the magic district.

“Here it is.”

After walking a bit further, they arrived at Meltas’ destination: a magic shop called [Blue Traces].

“Meltas?”

As soon as they entered, a woman recognized Meltas and called out to him.

Oh...

Risir was inwardly impressed by her appearance. Wearing a wide-brimmed pointy hat and a flamboyant robe, she was the spitting image of a mage.

Interestingly, her robe was cut low at the chest, proudly displaying an overwhelming cleavage.

She must have immense pride as a mage.

As Risir was secretly admiring her, the woman looked him up and down.

“What’s this? You, bringing along such a youngster? Have you finally decided to take on an apprentice?”

“That’s none of your business, Marina.”

“Judging by your reaction, I guess he’s not your apprentice. I suppose it’s unlikely that a youngster who’s just entered the 4th rank at that age would meet your standards.”

“Stop talking nonsense and—Wait, what did you say?”

Meltas, who had been listening indifferently, looked at Risir with surprise.

“...!”

Then his eyes shot wide.

“Uh.”

A beat later, Risir also realized the change that had occurred in his body.

He tried to calm the shocked old mage.

“Don’t worry about it. This happens sometimes.”

Risir had definitely been at the 3rd rank before leaving the laboratory, yet somehow, he had reached the 4th rank.