Chapter 250

Chapter 250 – From My Downfall

Seven days had gone by since Lucifer unreservedly opened his soul to the Magic Tower.

During that period, I had been thoroughly occupied managing matters in the outside world.

‘For the moment, I should delay informing Parun about what is happening with Yeokcheon.’

The academic term was commencing shortly regardless, meaning I wouldn’t possess the leisure to dedicate myself entirely to Yeokcheon anyway.

Consequently, I filled out the survey Parun had provided me in brief increments—it served as a safeguard for any unexpected developments.

The remainder of my hours went toward organizing the “Self-Sufficiency Project” alongside Senior Riheim and Senior Mysern.

“So, we are establishing the defensive perimeter on the far side of Hazen?”

“That appears to be the most prudent choice. It is an isolated region devoid of commercial traffic, meaning it won’t attract attention. Though given the magnitude of what we are planning, I wonder if concealment truly matters……”

“If we overlay a perception-disrupting barrier, it ought to remain secure for a period.”

What was the reason for our concern?

According to imperial legislation, agricultural endeavors exceeding a particular magnitude required registration with the Empire.

That requirement unlocked a chaotic web of administrative friction and levies, leaving us with zero alternatives.

Naturally, if our operations were discovered, we would face a catastrophic tax penalty……

‘……Everything will turn out fine. We will execute this rapidly and clear out within a few months.’

At any rate, the seniors and I pooled our intelligence and threw ourselves completely into the endeavor.

Fortunately, the preparatory phase concluded far swifter than anticipated.

Per our routine, the three of us assembled at daybreak.

Senior Riheim initiated the conversation.

“The magic circle is finalized.”

In this context, “magic circle” denoted the mana gathering array intended to bolster Senior Riheim’s core.

“It cannot replicate the performance from the Hamern Great Forest, but taking into account the design and boundary of the barrier, it ought to suffice.”

Senior Mysern gave a silent nod of agreement.

I offered the next inquiry.

“Is the barrier reinforcement magic circle completed as well?”

“Barrier reinforcement?”

“Indeed.”

Senior Riheim tilted his head slightly upon hearing my query.

“What purpose would that serve?”

“……Excuse me?”

A barrier reinforcement magic circle aided in the manifestation and preservation of defensive boundaries—a fundamental tool for barrier mages.

Particularly for enduring ones such as this.

“I have failed to comprehend its necessity since long ago. What is the utility? Mental computations resolve the issue in mere moments, so why exhaust your body sketching patterns upon the dirt?”

“……Ah, certainly.”

This was the nature of a prodigy.

Their cognitive processes operated on a completely different plane than ordinary individuals.

Regardless, that meant the groundwork for the endeavor was entirely finished……

“Are you prepared?”

“Yes, effectively.”

I possessed no further arrangements to make.

Oh, and the selected vegetation? Potatoes.

They required far less mana during accelerated development compared to grain or alternative flora—Senior Riheim’s past experiences dictated that path.

‘They truly are extraordinary when you take the time to observe them.’

The realization struck me, and I shifted my gaze between Senior Riheim and Senior Mysern.

To begin, Senior Riheim.

The erstwhile Archmage of Termination, former grand duke—his personal capability had attained transcendence, and his lineage belonged to imperial royalty.

Next, Senior Mysern.

Spiritist of the Withering Gale, an individual who once stood as an equal to the Archmage of Termination, a titan whose personal mastery had reached transcendence through the path of spirit manipulation.

‘I recall hearing he originates from a prestigious noble house as well?’

Yet pedigree was irrelevant in this instance—what truly mattered was their current realm of power.

‘Three transcendent entities.’

Not a pair.

Three.

Why a trio? Because I had managed to ascend to transcendence myself.

This “Self-Sufficiency Project” was achievable solely due to the participation of three transcendent powerhouses.

Under conventional circumstances, it would necessitate dozens of professionals: spiritists skilled in the domains of water, wind, and earth; agricultural mages; and barrier mages, all working in unison.

“Hmm.”

My chest expanded with an inexplicable sense of pride, and at that exact moment, Senior Mysern’s eyes shifted toward me.

“Occupied with trivial reflections once more, I observe.”

Senior Riheim let out a soft laugh at the comment.

“He is merely filled with anticipation. Rescuing the destitute of the Black-White Slums—how could he possibly be otherwise?”

“You, the grand duke…… Hmph, no. You still perceive him in such a light? You display excessive tolerance toward an individual who refuses to disclose his true identity.”

“Well, he shall reveal the truth when the circumstances are appropriate.”

Senior Mysern smirked playfully and darted a glance in my direction.

“I could always expose it on his behalf, you know?”

……What was wrong with this individual?

Senior Mysern had grown increasingly mischievous as of late.

Ever since he deduced that I had withheld my true identity even from Senior Riheim, he had been tormenting me in this manner……

I swiftly redirected the conversation before his mockery could intensify.

“So, what hour is most appropriate? I am prepared to proceed at any moment.”

“Around midday. We require physical labor, meaning we must assemble the cartel participants—which demands time.”

I gave a nod of assent to Senior Mysern’s explanation.

A brief moment later.

We verified the magical equations and sequence for the undertaking one final time, then separated at our customary hour.

“Until later.”

“Yes, return safely. Oh, Knight. Have you still avoided encountering Obern?”

“……I shall meet with him shortly.”

Following the sequential departure of Senior Riheim and Senior Mysern from the chamber.

I exited the premises and directed my steps toward a specific destination.

‘The preparations concluded sooner than I anticipated.’

I had desired to finalize everything before the start of the academy term—the schedule aligned flawlessly.

……Well, in truth, it was achievable only because the institution deferred its opening by seven days.

‘Delaying the commencement by an entire week?’

Supposedly, the escalating conflict between Lortel and Decullan created difficulties for numerous students attempting to meet the original timeline.

The academy offered this accommodation in response.

‘It works to my advantage.’

Though it meant reducing the summer recess by seven days—that was an issue for another time.

Immersed in these reflections as I journeyed.

I arrived outside a particular room within the provisional quarters.

Knock knock.

“Are you awake?”

I rapped on the wood and pulled the door open immediately. A massive silhouette shifted its head slightly, illuminated by the faint morning light piercing the fractures in the window.

“……Tower Lord.”

Lucifer knitted his brows slightly as he regarded me.

“If you intend to force your way inside without awaiting an answer, what purpose does knocking serve?”

“It possesses its own intrinsic value.”

“I am intrigued to learn what that might be.”

“The solution is not an explanation you receive from another person. It is something you discover on your own.”

“……Hmm, that carries weight. I shall ponder it.”

Lucifer gave a grave nod in response to my absurd remark.

‘He was remarkably literal in the past.’

In his previous existence, he would have struck me for uttering such nonsense, but his sharp edges had not yet formed.

Regardless, that was beside the point.

“Arise. We are journeying somewhere.”

“……?”

I turned and left the chamber without lingering for his reply.

Throughout the preceding week.

Whenever an opportunity arose, I provided Lucifer with various instructions, primarily purging the crude Troubleshooter methods he had acquired.

‘An early stage, perhaps……’

Yet given his resolute choice to align with the Magic Tower, I perceived no justification for withholding knowledge.

And above all else……

With Lucifer following in my wake, I observed the landscape of the Black-White Slums.

Amidst the suffering caused by the Lortel-Decullan conflict, the Second Black-White Slums vibrated with an inexplicable vitality even at this early hour.

The epicenter of this transformation: Svetlana’s territory.

‘Quite impressive.’

Aside from Senior Mysern instructing the youth in cultural studies, a substantial number of individuals were contributing.

Shine instructed the youngsters in swordsmanship with genuine care, and Evelyn managed to fit in arithmetic lessons once a week despite her demanding schedule.

Recently, not merely the orphans but children from the neighboring slums were arriving one after the other—perhaps because the youth had regained their vitality? The entire settlement felt illuminated.

It felt novel.

‘This represents a constructive shift.’

And the progress did not cease there.

‘Near the start of the term, Henji’s younger sibling is arriving as well?’

He intended to dispatch him once arrangements were finalized, but due to the packing and instructional responsibilities, it required more time than predicted.

‘The youth can instruct others in magic.’

Naturally, only a select few possessed the capacity to actually comprehend it, but even as basic education, it would possess significance.

There was no requirement to impart Blandoga secrets.

The fundamental respiration technique was available—a minor consequence, yet interchangeable with others at any point.

Oh, that primary technique was a contribution from Senior Riheim.

In any case.

Absorbing the altered state of the Black-White Slums during this recess, I envisioned its prospective advancement.

A single year from this moment, five years, ten……

The manner in which the Second Black-White Slums would recreate itself.

……Simultaneously.

A thought occurred to me.

Regardless of how many years rolled past, no physical tower would ever ascend within the boundaries of the Second Black-White Slums.

The reason?

On account of Decullan.

I could not permit these hard-fought transformations to be consumed by the conflagration of conflict.

Yet that did not imply I lacked a strategy for the tower’s destiny.

“……How great a distance are we traveling?”

“…….”

Disregarding Lucifer’s inquiry, I moved past the perimeter of the Second Black-White Slums and navigated across the expansive plain.

I came to a halt once we had achieved a suitable distance—a vantage point where the slums could be completely observed in a single view.

Structures clustered in a disorganized labyrinth from unregulated expansion.

The sun ascending behind the horizon.

Lucifer turned to face me with the sunlight framing his figure, and a realization surfaced: the Second Black-White Slums and the ascending sun appeared to support his back.

……This was the moment.

The destiny of the tower I envisioned.

“Be seated.”

“……Understood.”

I dropped to the ground first and looked toward Lucifer, who stood against the dawn light. Then I spoke.

“There exists an concept known as a circle.”

“A circle…… you say?”

“Yes. In scholarly terms, it represents an alternative configuration of the core. As a hidden technique, it is exceptional. It is an innovation I fortunately devised—one you shall master in due time. Today, I shall establish its groundwork.”

Following my brief elucidation regarding the circle, Lucifer inquired.

“Therefore, I am to become your pupil?”

I shook my head in dissent.

“Whether you are a pupil or not is immaterial. You acquire Decullan secrets and transform into their follower? Absurd.”

“Then…… a restricted art reserved for tower adherents?”

“No. It is not confined to the tower. Once matters are resolved, I intend to disseminate it openly for any individual.”

What was the implication of that statement?

Instructing Lucifer in the art of the circle imposed no obligations regarding tower membership upon him.

Instead……

“Retain merely this single instruction.”

“……Proceed.”

“In the future, if you achieve a lofty realm of power, do not be tightfisted with your knowledge. Do not act like those aristocratic fools who hoard their discoveries—when destiny aligns your path with another, distribute it unreservedly, just as I am doing with you today.”

“……Even if I am not your student?”

“Are you my student?”

“No, but……”

Lucifer’s voice trailed off into silence.

I roared with laughter at his bewildered expression.

“Regardless, do not hoard your insights. For alternative secrets, perhaps—but for the circle, without exception. Understood?”

“Understood…… I think.”

Lucifer tilted his head in bewilderment, then offered a nod.

“Excellent. Face the other direction. You have perfected the respiration technique I demonstrated during our prior session?”

“……Yes.”

The respiration technique I had imparted: Decullan’s Old Heavenly Origin Art.

The conceptualization for the New Heavenly Origin Art remained unformed—an unavoidable reality. Yet upon analyzing it, the Old Heavenly Origin Art proved adequate for establishing the circle’s foundation. I had initiated my own path with it as well.

And now, my next action……

‘Mana Shower.’

Purify his physical form, which had been corrupted by low-grade Troubleshooter methods.

“Now, commence.”

“……Yes, I understand.”

“Begin.”

He spun around, directed his gaze toward the Black-White Slums, and shut his eyes.

His respiration rapidly settled into a tranquil rhythm while I silently observed the surroundings.

Even at this moment, the sun continued its ascent over the Black-White Slums—appearing to illuminate Lucifer’s future path with brilliant clarity.

I contemplated the vista for a brief interval, then extended my hand to rest upon his back.

……And on that specific day.

The tower, which had originally existed as a single entity, divided into two.

The reason?

Regardless of whether Lucifer validated the truth or not, inheriting the circle signified that he now carried a tower within himself.

The exact instant the tower detached itself from my downfall.