Memoirs of a Wicked Magician - Chapter 30

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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 30
[Hoh. Of course, watching over an ignorant fool like you has been tedious enough that I’ve had some inclination to guide you to a certain degree… but it seems you’re asking for something more than that?]
‘Before, I couldn’t even form my Mana Core properly—I was defective. Even when I wanted to learn magic properly, I couldn’t. The masters at the Magic Tower treated me as if I didn’t exist.’
That’s why Liriope had to teach herself magical theory, lonely as it was.
‘This time, after using magic directly and seeing it in action, I’ve realized it clearly. My theoretical knowledge alone is hopelessly insufficient to survive in actual combat.’
After all, if anyone could reach the heights of mastery simply by reading grimoires, what mage would go to such trouble seeking out a master and begging for instruction?
Having felt her own mana refuse to move as she willed, Liriope had come to understand keenly that she needed someone’s guidance.
But why, then?
The words that echoed in her mind after making her request were somewhat peculiar.
[Hmm. So what you’re saying is, you want to become my formal disciple right now? You mean to grow strong by effortlessly receiving all my magical secrets without doing the work yourself?]
‘What? No, I didn’t mean it quite like that…’
[What do you mean no? You’re saying you want to receive without a single drop left behind all the essence of the great magic I’ve perfected over long ages—to have it carved into your body, your mind, and your very soul!]
The resounding cry left her ears ringing.
In that voice, unusually heightened, she sensed a force not easily shaken off, and Liriope read an odd fervor in his strangely coercive manner.
Bewilderment crossed Liriope’s face.
If this was no illusion, the owner of that voice seemed not merely to accept but to be deeply delighted by her proposal to learn magic from him.
More than that, he seemed to want a Master-Disciple Relationship that went far beyond what Liriope herself had envisioned.
This time, Liriope fell silent.
Then, after a moment, a quiet voice rang out in the space shared by them alone.
‘…That day, when I’d lost all meaning in life in that rain-soaked Black Forest, it’s perhaps fate or destiny that I met you of all people. You seem to be a mage who’s reached heights I can’t yet fathom, yet even so, you’ve chosen me because there’s something you can’t accomplish alone. And I too need someone’s help desperately, so…’
Liriope slowly drew in breath that felt laden with strange tension as she continued.
‘So if our interests align, it doesn’t matter what we call this relationship.’
Liriope had to protect her sister, and for that, she’d made a vow to give him whatever price he desired from the start.
So there was no need to steel herself anew now.
When Liriope answered without hesitation, a low sigh—whether of relief or satisfaction—escaped him.
[Hmph, cheeky brat. Your spirit is commendable, but serving me as your master won’t be easy. Still, if you want it so badly, I’ll make a special exception and grant you this chance.]
He grew arrogant and conceited, as if he’d been anxiously waiting for her answer all this time.
[In return, you must conduct yourself with utmost courtesy toward me from now on. If you can’t manage that, we can forget this ever happened.]
‘I understand. A master is a second parent and a compass for the soul, it’s said. From now on, I’ll revere you like a jewel atop my head and promise never to be disrespectful.’
[What….]
But when Liriope shifted her manner so naturally, he seemed flustered instead, as if words had abandoned him.
‘Naturally, I should change my mode of address to a proper one as well? From now on, I’ll call you Master with all my affection. If there’s anything else you wish to impart to this unworthy disciple, please speak freely at any time. I’ll always listen and follow.’
Her submission seemed beyond mere courtesy—it would have been worthy of applause and satisfaction—yet for some reason, he found her intolerable and deeply uncomfortable.
If he had a form, surely goosebumps would be crawling across his entire body.
The awkward atmosphere felt painfully obvious with every breath he drew.
Finally, the voice’s owner cleared his throat awkwardly and corrected himself.
[Ahem, cough! Well, never mind. Suddenly receiving that kind of treatment from you makes me uncomfortable. Just speak to me as you have been. I’ll permit it especially for you….]
‘Really? I got it. You’re the one who asked for it first, so you’d better not be fickle about it later.’
But Liriope’s ready agreement seemed to annoy him again.
[You impudent wretch… Ah, never mind, never mind. There’s no point talking further—I’m just wasting my breath. How did I ever end up with my nose tweaked by such a cocky young thing….]
Liriope cut off his lament, which seemed far from finished, without mercy and asked.
‘Anyway, what’s your name? If you don’t like being called Master, tell me how I should address you from now on.’
[What, you’re only asking my name now? Hmph! You exchanged names with that red-haired fool easily enough, but you’re only curious about my name now?]
Was he actually upset that she hadn’t asked for his name until now?
This being seemed to possess a delicate sensitivity in the strangest places.
[Fine. I’ve long since figured out that aside from matters concerning your sister, you’re indifferent to everything else. From now on, call me ‘Ode’.]
Ode.
Compared to his complaint about why she’d only now asked his name, his answer seemed half-hearted at best.
Clearly, this suspicious being had no intention of revealing his true name.
Since ancient times, ‘Ode’ had been a common alias used by mages who wished to conceal their identities.
[Speaking of which, there’s one thing I’m curious about regarding you. That magic you used in front of the silver-haired one.]
Unwilling to discuss his name further, Ode pointedly changed the subject.
[I thought it was a magic lost ages ago, but somehow you knew it. It was Time Stop Magic, wasn’t it? Who taught you?]
‘Ah, I wasn’t taught it. I just happened to see it in some grimoire.’
Liriope slowly rewound through her past memories.
‘After I was cast out from the Northern Magic Tower, I wandered here and there until I happened to enter an underground market for vagabond mages. I saw something called an Ancient Magic Grimoire there… Of course, I couldn’t afford to buy it, and before it was sold, I skimmed through it out of curiosity. Then that content suddenly came back to me at just the right moment.’
As she explained, a thought suddenly struck her, and Liriope’s eyes widened slightly.
‘Oh, that’s right. Maybe it was thanks to you. Because I went back in time, I might have unconsciously searched my memory to see if I knew any similar magic, and that curiosity may have remained in my subconscious. That’s probably why the magic suddenly came out…’
[What? Wait. So you’re saying you used magic on the spot that you hadn’t been taught, that your body hadn’t grown accustomed to, and that you’d never even practiced before?]
‘No… I’ve been called defective my whole life. Would I even have any magic I could claim to be skilled at? Besides, the situation was urgent at the time, so I think I just unconsciously used whatever magic came to mind. And your help was considerable too.’
[Even so… Ancient magic involves incredibly complex Magic Circle arrangements. You’re saying you remembered the contents of a grimoire you’d only seen once and used it exactly as it was?]

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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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