A Returner’s Magic Should Be Special - Chapter 25

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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The Returner’s Magic Must Be Special

Episode 25. Outer (1)

Chapter 6. Outer

“Mankind is at war with the Shadow World.”
The Shadow World.
A catastrophe that emerges in yearly cycles—the gravest threat humanity has ever faced.
“The defining characteristic of the Shadow World is that it relentlessly encroaches upon our realm.”
Lands consumed by it become shrouded in black fog, and not a single human who has set foot there has ever returned.
“Consumed lands become uninhabitable. At the Magic Tower, we refer to this phenomenon as ‘Shadow Corruption.’ To prevent it, mankind has waged war against the Shadow World.”
Humanity has long stood in opposition to the Shadow World.
Yet that history is stained almost entirely by defeats.
“Mankind retreated again and again. Vast territories fell to Shadow Corruption. The land that remains today is said to be less than half the size of the original continent.”
Among the students attending the Shadow World Studies lecture, nearly half were asleep.
And for good reason.
“Of course, this may sound unbelievable to you all. Currently, humanity’s conquest rate of the Shadow World stands at 99.9 percent—most Shadow Worlds have been cleared. Which is precisely why tales of such past dangers likely sound like tedious history.”
The Magic Tower’s adjunct instructor paused to catch his breath, then surveyed the students’ reactions.
“Yet you must understand this: it has not even been half a century since mankind achieved such dominance over the Shadow World.”
Forty-eight years ago.
The conquest rate of the Shadow World exceeded 60 percent merely forty-eight years ago.
But to put it another way, it means that from forty-eight years onward, humanity has maintained the upper hand against the Shadow World.
The academic community held differing views on the reasons for such achievement.
Some scholars pointed to three reasons; others presented five; still others singled out but one.
Yet regardless of how many reasons each proposed, there existed one reason that all of them agreed upon without exception.
“All of this stems from our ability to harness Mana Stones. Every scholar considers this discovery the turning point that dramatically altered the balance between the Shadow World and mankind.”
Mana Stones.
Minerals formed when mana obtained from clearing Shadow Worlds accumulates and solidifies into dense crystals.
In the past, Mana Stones were treated as worthless. This stemmed from their structure.
“Mana Stones consist of two distinct layers: the ‘Outer Mana Layer’—a hard surface formed by crystallized mana—and the ‘Inner Mana,’ a fluid state existing within.”
The outer mana, being already crystallized, cannot be used. Only the inner mana remains accessible to humans.
Though, that was only when it could be accessed at all.
The Outer Mana Layer completely seals the inner mana from flowing outward, rendering even the most abundant reserves impossible to utilize.
Yet breaking the stone was equally impossible.
The moment the Outer Mana Layer shatters, releasing what bound the inner mana, the pent energy rushes forth with tremendous velocity, dispersing into the atmosphere and vanishing entirely.
“However, all these shortcomings were resolved fifty years ago by the ‘Enchant’ technique developed at the Magic Tower.”
A note of pride colored his tone.
And it was an achievement worthy of pride.
“To explain simply: the Magic Tower’s special technique is used to drill microscopic holes into the Outer Mana Layer. Then, inner mana is guided through these holes to flow in a controlled direction, and a spell is inscribed upon the flowing mana to activate it.”
Once a method to harness the inner mana of Mana Stones was developed, they transformed from useless stones into invaluable resources.
What followed was the development of countless magical devices powered by Mana Stones, then explosive advancement.
A magical revolution.
The Enchant technique was truly a discovery that divided centuries.
“To briefly summarize the changes this advancement brought about……”
The instructor shifted the atmosphere, displaying prepared materials on a screen.
Various images appeared on a panel powered by Mana Stone.
Communication devices allowing people far apart to maintain contact.
Automatic elevators connecting floors of towering buildings.
Trains traversing entire continents.
“Thus began the Age of Mass Magic—an era in which anyone could benefit from magical advancement.”
Life became abundant, and populations grew.
The conquest of the Shadow World became hundreds of times easier, needless to say.
“Of course, there are downsides as well. This development gave rise to criminals who seek to illegally acquire Mana Stones. Known collectively as ‘Outer,’ these individuals are serious violators of the Bern Accord—a particularly vicious organization that has launched attacks against both the Magic Tower and the Western Kingdom Alliance on multiple occasions.”
Both the benefits and drawbacks stemmed from the Enchant technique that enabled the use of Mana Stones.
“Now, a question: who exactly developed this Enchant technique? Hmm… you there, the sleeping student?”
“Eh? E-eh…?”
Romantica, who had been dozing off, jolted up in alarm at the sound of her name being called.
Clatter.
Her chair toppled backward.
Laughter rippled through the classroom.
Dezir, sitting beside her, righted the fallen chair and whispered a hint of advice.
“Just say Jord Exarion, Romantica.”
“Jord Exarion!”
“Correct. The individual currently serving as Master of the Magic Tower, Jord Exarion. You may be seated.”
Master of the Magic Tower—Jord Exarion.
“Our discussion did wander like a hare in the grass, didn’t it? In any case, the conclusion we’ve reached today is this: the Shadow World is a dual-natured entity that has accelerated human progress decisively by bestowing upon us Mana Stones, even as it gradually encroaches upon humanity’s homeland.”
As the lecture drew to a close, drowsy students began stirring in their seats.
“Today’s class ends here. Any students with questions, please come forward. Thank you for your attention.”
A rustle of movement.
Students rose as one and filed toward the exit.
Against this tide came three students ascending toward the lecturer. Three, not one—for the lead figure was flanked by two companions.
One whose gender was difficult to discern at a glance, and the young woman who had been soundly asleep moments before.
The instructor’s expression brightened at their approach.
“This is Dezir Armang. That is Romantica Eru, and this is Fram Schneizer. All three are Single Rankers and members of the same party.”
“Ah, Single Rankers, then. What an honor.”
“The honor is ours, Prelude. Your lecture was truly excellent.”
“So, what is your question?”
“We haven’t come to ask a question. We’ve come to make a request.”
At Dezir’s words, Prelude felt a flicker of unease.
“Surely you’re not seeking support from the Magic Tower?”
“Something along those lines.”
Prelude’s expression hardened at once.
He’d seen this before—students who would stop at nothing to secure the Magic Tower’s backing. Tower sponsorship was invaluable in assembling and maintaining a party.
“The Magic Tower’s support decisions are always made fairly. I believe this year’s application period has already closed.”
“Ah, sadly we missed it. We were hindered by another party’s interference.”
“Interference from another party?”
“We’ve faced considerable opposition. A three-person party, and nearly all of us from common backgrounds—the other parties didn’t take kindly to us.”
“Ah, so you’re that party. The one from the rumors—Beta Class members who became Single Rankers.”
Word of Dezir’s party had spread far. Though their individual names hadn’t become famous, the rumor itself carried weight: “Hebrion produced a super rookie party, apparently quite remarkable.” By those measures, they’d already made their mark.
Yet here they stood—just three members, all of common origin—so friction with other parties was inevitable.
“However, the application period has closed, and the review process is already underway. I’m afraid your best option is to try again next year.”
At this, Dezir tilted his head thoughtfully.
“I believe the meaning didn’t come through quite right.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“We have no particular interest in seeking support. To borrow your phrasing—we’ve become a lost hare, haven’t we? Is that the correct expression?”
“It’s a rabbit.”
Prelude corrected the word, then continued.
“Then what exactly are you requesting?”
Dezir reached into his pocket and withdrew something, which he handed over.

A commission request.

“What is this?”
“Parties at Hebrion Academy can accept commissions in exchange for payment.”
“I’m not asking because I’m ignorant. I know that well—the Magic Tower has hired Academy parties before. What I’m asking is why you’re handing this to me.”
Dezir uncapped his pen and held it out toward Prelude.
“Please take the commission.”
……
“I’m asking you to take the commission.”
……
“I ask that you accept this commission.”
“No, this isn’t a matter of phrasing.”
Prelude capped the pen again and returned it along with the contract form to Dezir.
Dezir did not accept it.
“You must accept this commission.”
“You’re being completely unreasonable.”
“Is there no way around this?”
A slight smile.
Dezir spoke with a faint grin.
“July 7th, three in the morning.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“Precisely ten hours from now, we’ve received intelligence that the Outer will attack the Aureli Branch of the Magic Tower.”
The Outer.
Those who stand beyond the boundaries.
Those who reject all rules.
A truly vicious organization that had attacked both the Magic Tower and the Western Kingdom Alliance on multiple occasions.
“Their target is a Grade-2 Mana Stone stored in the Aureli Branch—Lugnel’s Tear.”
“Wait, how could you possibly know that—!”
Dezir cut him off and continued without pause.
“The crucial point is that we also know how to stop them. Propose to the Magic Tower that they hire us.”

* * *

The beginning of this matter traced back several days.
July 4th.
After Dezir’s party succeeded in their advancement to Single Ranker status in the promotion tournament, the Academy assigned them a new office.
The wallpaper inside the office was a subdued white. The pristine space was furnished with comfortable furniture in warm bronze tones, and when you looked out the window, an emerald lake glimmered in the distance.
As usual, after training, Dezir’s party gathered in the office to spend the afternoon.
And there, Dezir reached a very significant decision.
‘I really should marry someone like Fram.’
To be clear from the start, this decision had absolutely nothing to do with marriage prospects.
Mountains of paperwork piled high.
As Dezir worked, he reached for a pastry set before him and took a bite. The cake, buttered and baked though plain in appearance, tasted remarkably good. It was a homemade cookie Fram had made.
‘Beautiful face, wonderful personality. Excellent at cooking. There’s nothing he can’t do.’
Fram had taken charge of all the domestic affairs for the party. No one had asked him to—he’d volunteered.
And he performed his duties brilliantly.
Cleaning was the baseline, but cooking was where he truly excelled. Not just simple treats like cookies, but tea as well—he brewed it with remarkable skill. Even a professional maid probably couldn’t do better.
‘How wonderful it would be if Fram were a woman? Or… isn’t she actually a woman? If that were the case…’
“Dezir?”
Lost in thought as he gazed out the window, Dezir snapped back to attention.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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