Memoirs of a Wicked Magician - Chapter 138

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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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Chapter 138
As if sensing her mood, Od remained quietly in place as well.
She hadn’t mentioned to Od the conversation she’d had with Belkiers in his absence.
Yet from the familiar Mana that had circled outside the window without entering the room before vanishing, Od seemed to have gathered that something had transpired between them.
‘I don’t particularly want to discuss this now, but I suppose there’s one more thing we need to examine at this point—that shadow that killed your parents.’
When Od spoke again a moment later, his voice tinged with hesitation, Liriope’s firmly pressed lips tightened.
‘You’ve experienced this Flooding Period as a mage yourself, so you must already sense it, but for a shadow to slip past the Outer District entirely and strike the City District would be nearly impossible.’
In truth, Liriope had already suspected as much. But she’d deliberately chosen not to think about it. Still, there was no way to dispel the doubt that had already taken root in her heart.
‘I understand what you’re saying. That their deaths seem deliberate?’
Od affirmed her with silence.
Liriope voiced the suspicion she’d harbored privately these past few days.
‘Then… could my parents’ deaths possibly have been connected to Belegot? It’s entirely speculative, but…’
Liriope recalled the shadow she’d seen at the Northern Magic Tower on the night of the banquet.
A black creature that spoke in human words and wielded magic.
She’d dismissed it as an auditory hallucination until now, but Caliona had once mentioned hearing the shadow that killed her parents speak as well.
And then there was the person she’d glimpsed just before escaping the Illusory Space—so corrupted they’d transformed into something like a shadow themselves.
But the most decisive evidence was the Magic Enhancement Potion that Cassel had given her.
After investigating its composition with Od’s help, they discovered it contained the diluted bodily fluid of a contaminated creature—something no human should ever consume.
The Contamination concentration was roughly seventeen percent, not lethal in an immediate sense, but sustained ingestion could produce horrors beyond imagining.
‘Perhaps I’m jumping to conclusions.’
Od, murmuring low, showed signs of deliberation.
‘Still, under these circumstances, it’s hard not to harbor suspicion. And that shadow we saw in the Magic Tower recently seemed almost certainly connected to the Magic Tower Master and certain Belegot mages.’
He consoled her as if to acknowledge that such thoughts were understandable.
‘In any case, it’s better to keep all possibilities open and prepare ourselves rather than think optimistically and remain defenseless. For now, when an opportunity arises, it might be wise to investigate more thoroughly into the Flooding Period during the year your parents died.’
‘You’re right. If Mother was indeed at the Northern Magic Tower, traces of her presence may linger somewhere. From now on, I’ll need to observe such things carefully.’
‘And including the Magic Tower Master… be more cautious. Those Belegot mages who’ve approached you may harbor dangerous intentions or purposes.’
Od hadn’t named anyone explicitly, but Liriope understood the implication in his words.
Liriope gave no answer to Od’s admonition. Od offered no further commentary either.
Looking out the window, the rain had already begun to ease.
‘For now, I should look for someone else who might know about the inner workings of the Magic Tower.’
Until now, when she had questions, she’d asked Belkiers primarily—but this matter was different.
To answer Liriope’s questions, she needed someone who’d spent considerable time within the Magic Tower.
Ideally someone well-connected to senior mages, or even a senior mage themselves.
Someone well-networked enough to know the information and inner affairs of Magic Tower mages broadly, and someone with keen interest in others’ business.
A suitable candidate came to mind.
A mage who could meet Liriope without seeming unnatural at this moment, and who would gladly welcome such an encounter—and fortunately, this mage was close at hand.
* * *
“Liriope! You came on the very first day of the exhibition. Thank you so much.”
Liriope smiled softly before the voluminous, frizzy-haired female mage making an exaggerated fuss.
“I promised I’d come see it once you opened the exhibition. I should be thanking you for welcoming me, Instructor Daphne.”
A high-rank mage of Rank 6 or above who’d shown consistent interest in Liriope.
One of four instructors who desired to take Liriope on as a student.
With justifiable pretense, they were the ideal people for Liriope to approach.
“Still, the Flooding Period ended days ago, yet humans are so lazy. I barely managed to arrange this exhibition, and hardly anyone’s bothered to come view it.”
“What a shame for such a rare opportunity. I’ve been looking forward to this exhibition, so I’m quite excited.”
“How does such a pretty girl speak so eloquently? Now I understand why that picky Sollea drools at just the sight of you and your sister.”
Among the instructors, Liriope had sought out Daphne first.
It was convenient too, as her exhibition of restored magical artifacts was currently underway.
“Zachariel! Come guide Liriope through the exhibition hall.”
“Wouldn’t it be possible for Instructor Daphne to guide me instead?”
“Hm? Me, directly? Why? Aren’t you close with Zachariel?”
“No, not particularly.”
Daphne’s expression shifted oddly at Liriope’s blunt response.
“And if I may be so bold, I’d like to hear Instructor Daphne’s insights on Artifact Restoration.”
“Well then, of course!”
Daphne laughed brightly and led Liriope deeper into the exhibition hall.
“You mentioned Instructor Daphne first presented restored artifacts three years ago?”
“My interest began long before that. I’m something of a perfectionist, you see—I hate showing others my incomplete work. So I spent years quietly honing my skills in secret, and only then did my talent bloom!”
‘A perfectionist? Ha—starting with that mane of tangled hair.’
“Would you like to see this artifact first? It’s my masterpiece—a straw that makes plain water taste like strawberry juice! And this is spectacles for Object Appraisal…”
Liriope followed Daphne’s guidance as they toured the artifacts in the exhibition hall.
All the ancient artifacts restored in modern form and transformed into new artifacts bore Daphne’s initials—D.
Though she’d come today with another purpose, Liriope couldn’t deny that Daphne’s restored artifacts were impressive.
“They’re all wonderful. May I try operating one?”
“Of course.”
Liriope picked up the spectacles nearest to her.
Whiiiiiii!
But the moment she channeled Mana into the artifact, something strange occurred.
An odd Mana resonance suddenly emanated from the artifact, and all the magical artifacts in the exhibition hall began emitting clear tones.
“What—what is this? Why are they doing this all of a sudden?”
Liriope was startled, but Daphne seemed even more shocked.
She hurried to suppress the commotion.
“Did I make a slight mistake in the final stage? I have no idea why this is happening…”
Daphne’s Mana extended throughout the exhibition hall, enveloping the magical artifacts. Yet no matter how hard she tried, the situation didn’t improve.
“Agh, Zachariel!”
“Yes! You called, Daphne?”
“Clear away these noisy things at once!”
“Now? Right this instant?”
“Yes! I can’t seem to concentrate—I must be tired. Store them for now and I’ll fix them all at once later.”
While Daphne rubbed her temples, Zachariel quickly obeyed her command.
‘What was that? I felt something strange the moment I activated that artifact.’
‘I sensed it too. A sudden Mana resonance phenomenon… if we were to disassemble that magical artifact, we’d be certain.’
‘Should I slip back tonight and steal it?’
“Oh, Liriope. Would you hand me that magical artifact you’re holding?”
Zachariel, who’d approached without warning, extended his hand toward Liriope.
Each time Liriope saw his face, thoughts of the vanished Samuel weighed on her heart. So she handed over the magical artifact with a somewhat distant manner.
Daphne observed this with a meaningful glance.
“My, such discourtesy with a guest present. Liriope, I’m sorry about this—it would be a shame if this were all. Why don’t you stop by my Personal Research Chamber? It happens to be your instructor consultation day as well.”
“Yes… I’d like that.”
Naturally, Liriope had no reason to refuse Daphne’s invitation.
“Oh dear, I’ve been so busy I’ve neglected tidying—there’s nowhere to sit. Just wait a moment while I clean up!”
After a moment, upon arriving at the Personal Research Chamber, Daphne carelessly swept aside the objects scattered about the messy room with magic.
Though Liriope could hear Od’s disapproving voice in her mind regarding the chamber’s hygiene, she paid it no mind and took a seat on a chair dusted with crumbs.

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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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