The Protagonists Are Murdered By Me Chapter 40: 201-205, a 13 tzameti fanfic

The story of how Aracelli ended up in her current situation went like this… Shortly after arriving to this world called the Balkan Continent, she fortunately, or maybe closer to unfortunately, somehow became the maid of the Duke Alleroden. At first she thought it was okay since the job offered incentives like food, clothing and bed.

Then, on the very first night of her maid life. Aracelli soared into the sky at dawn when the mansion's guard was at its weakest. She didn't soar by stepping on the air or using ridiculous magic such as gravity reversal. She literally made her body fly by using countless feathers that attached themselves to her body.

Shortly after stepping on the mansion's roof, Aracelli put her hands together and drew her mana to the best of her ability. However, since her current mana pool was far cry from what she had back in her prime, she could not find out Yoo Seodam's exact location. Therefore, she had no choice but to launch a 'message' towards an unspecified space.

However, this time, knowing that Yoo Seodam also exists somewhere in this world, Aracelli was certain that this magic, which consumes an enormous amount of mana, would work without a hitch.

Swooosh-!!

Softly dissolving, a subtle swarm of white light scattered into the sky. With her business done, Aracelli skipped to the air and descended to the ground.

Unluckily, Mazellion, the youngest son of Duke Alleroden showed himself as soon as she landed. Rather than saying that she was caught red-handed, it was more like she was careless with her planning. It was all budding from the fact that she had always hid her magic as much as she could, to the point not many wizards could feel it. And the only one in the mansion who could feel her magic was Duke Alleroden himself. However, the 7th-circle wizard wasn't in the mansion. He was currently in the capital of the Empire, so she has no fear of being caught.

"Beautiful." Mazellion muttered while looking at the night sky. "Both you and your magic… It's so beautiful… May I know your name?"

"It's Aracelli…" She answered, cold sweat dripping all over her body. So far, while traveling to many worlds, no one had ever found out that she was a sorcerer. But that stellar record was currently being broken by someone who discovered her as soon as she arrived in this world. It would only be natural for anyone who saw this to question why a magician was working as a maid.

However, Mazellion understood it differently.

"You don't have any surname?"

"Yes? Ah, that is so…"

"Hm… Why did you come to our family? Is it because as a commoner you can't learn magic and want to secretly learn magic by watching our family?"

"…?" Aracelli was confused by his words. However, since it was a rather good misunderstanding, she followed his tune. "I apologize. The punishment of daring to try to learn the Duke's magic, I will accept it."

"No. You don't have to. I also felt that It's pretty sad that commoners can't learn magic…"

Looking at his words, a look of understanding dawned on Aracelli's face. It seems that before the 'reincarnation', he was a commoner.

"I'll turn blind eye to the fact that you are a magician. Instead, serve me in the future."

"I understand…"

After that, Mazellion turned his back and disappeared with the moonlight.

Waking up from her reminiscences, Aracelli sighed.

"Hm? Aracelli. Is something wrong?" One of the maids, who was clearly more senior than the rest, asked her. She was the head maid of this mansion.

"Yes? No. I am just tired."

"Is it perhaps because you worked so hard? Take it easy."

Aracelli sighed again in her head. It was not like the work of a maid was hard. It was just frustrating that she was stuck here and wasting every precious second in this place even though she could've spent it with her Professor. However, she didn't reveal her thoughts and simply responded politely.

"I understand."

"That's right. I will give you some rest." She said with a smile. The head maid really liked Aracelli. She was smart, learned things well, worked hard, talked softly, and even had a cute face, so she fully understood why young master Mazellion fancied her. "And, you have to be careful. Don't you have a subtle relationship with the young master?"

"…." There's no relationship whatsoever! Peeking at all the maids around her who were blushing uncontrollably at the mention of the topic, she felt exasperated. It seemed like they were excited because it was a forbidden romance between a noble and a commoner. However, for Aracelli herself, it was suffocating. She felt as if she could die any moment now.

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"Romance between commoners and nobles… I thought it only happened in novels!"

"How come the young master is so blind?"

From what Aracelli knew, Mazellion's reputation before the sudden change couldn't be any lower. Simply put, he was a human garbage. Even though he was born in the great lineage of Duke Alleroden—one of the strongest magicians on the continent—he had just barely completed his first magic circle. He was incomparable to his eldest brother who had completed as many as six circles in his early 30s and was called genius among geniuses, and his second eldest brother, who, even though only had a low number of circles, had turned the academic world upside down several times with his excellent magic theory.

However, for some reason—which everyone in the mansion saw as Mazellion turning a new leaf—he suddenly started to learn magic religiously. Then, when he became 20 years old, he completed four circles of magic, which meant that he was a genius enough to be recorded in history.

At that display of behaviour, everyone started to suspect that Mazellion's trashy behaviour was nothing but a façade because he feared that he would be oppressed by his brothers if he showed his talent to the world. He only showed his talent once he was old enough to defend himself. In other words, from a young age, Mazellion's political sense was well-honed.

People couldn't stop clamouring at him. The more they thought about Mazellion, the more charming he seemed. However, Aracelli, who knew that he was not the same person as Mazellion from the past, knew just how wrong those people were.

"Ah, Aracelli! You are here!"

"Yes? Is there something you need?"

"Ah… The young master wanted to see you at the Replacian Garden!"

At those words, Aracelli sighed inside her mind and nodded her head. She assured herself that she had to look good to the protagonist to make the Professor's job easier.

Mazellion Alleroden was originally a different person from another world. He was a genius wizard in his own way, but an unfortunate one since he couldn't reach the height he should've reached because he could not learn magic properly due to his low status.

However, by chance, he was given an opportunity to learn a certain magic. It was none other than 'black magic'. A kind of magic which could only be used by selling souls to dark beings. Even though it had such a steep price, the exchange was guaranteed. Its performance simply overshadowed any other form of magic.

Naturally, the use of black magic was strictly forbidden in the magic society of his original world. It was due to the fact that black mana was highly likely to run rampant, and had an atrocious side effect of corrupting the environment and people around it with its unclean energy. For that reason, before being reincarnated in this world, Mazellion was killed by the wizards.

Before his death, he cursed the world that suppressed his talent and thirst for knowledge just because of his low status. And the next thing he knew, he woke up in his current body. The body of the youngest son of Duke Alleroden.

After living in this world for several weeks, Mazellion became aware that black magic in this world had already disappeared more than a hundred years ago due to the same reason as his old world, a large-scale warlock hunting. Due to that fact, Mazellion became the only warlock in this world, and no one was able to notice his dark magic.

Mazellion, who sat in the garden alone, focused on the circles around his heart. There were four bright white mana circles and three black mana circles spinning around his beating heart. The three dark mana circles were his secret. A knife he had hidden for the worst-case scenario.

Step Step Step-!!

When he heard the sound of footsteps behind him, Mazellion quickly woke up from his meditation and turned around. There stood Aracelli, a mysterious wizard girl who had entered the mansion of Duke Alleroden as a maid, but was now his 'lover'.

(T/N this guy is not only going to pick a fight with Seodam but also all of the 'Aracelli best girl' army.)

"You've come, Aracelli."

"Yes…"

Mazellion rose to his feet before staggering towards Aracelli. For some reason, the girl in front of him looked a little uncomfortable. He soon figured out why.

"Ah… If the other maids are angry at you because I called you while you were working, just tell me. I will take care of everything."

"No… It's not like that."

"The next time you want to talk, let me know. I can listen to your concerns at any time."

'What the hell are you talking about.' Aracelli was confused. She found his words baffling just like always.

Mazellion and Aracelli strolled through the garden. By Mazellion's orders, no one, not even gardeners, could enter this garden. The knights were escorting them from afar, but to be honest, their protection wasn't needed since Mazellion himself was far more powerful than them.

'Should I just kill him now?' Aracelli contemplated. If her Professor had to deal with him anyway, Aracelli was willing to get her own hands dirty and end it here. But she shook her head. Having lost most of her power and her inability to replenish her mana without her Professor's mana, it was impossible for her, or at least the current her, to deal with him. On top of that, it was highly unlikely that she would be able to overcome the power of the world's blessing given by 'protagonist correction' on her own.

And, crucially…

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'The energy around his heart… it's definitely black mana.'

But why haven't other wizards in this world killed him yet? It was as if they didn't know anything about black magic.

'Is it possible that black magic has not yet appeared in this world…?'

Aracelli had only been here for a week, so her knowledge of this world was quite limited. Because of this she had no choice but to figure out most of the situation on her own.

'If it's the blessing of the protagonist, then it's possible for it to interfere with history itself.'

However, Aracelli was aware that Mazellion was not a protagonist with the blessing of 'interference with reality'. His blessing was being 'reincarnated' into someone else's body and living a new life. It would not be possible for his blessing to completely twist the history that had existed.

'For now, I need to learn about the black magic in this world…'

"Aracelli." Aracelli's train of thoughts was being broken by Mazellion's sudden words.

"Yes?"

"Why did you want to learn magic?"

"…?" Aracelli tilted her head to one side at his question. She had never thought about it before. She only felt it was natural for her to learn magic because she was a descendant of Archmage Rinekal. On top of it, for her, magic had always been as natural as breathing. So, when everyone kept calling her genius this and genius that, she continued to learn magic to meet their expectations. But further down the line, her purpose of learning magic changed. It was to meet a certain man. A man who was kind to her when everyone else turned their eyes away from her. The man who saved her from her darkest days.

"I think I learned it for the sake of my life." So Aracelli answered, and Mazellion smiled as he nodded, seemingly satisfied with her reason.

"Is that so? Your reason is the same as mine it seems. I also learned magic for my life. To be exact… To survive. That's why I couldn't be angry at you for sneaking into our family and learning magic. It reminded me of the old me."

"…." Aracelli looked at him blankly. It seemed like he was trying to make a connection between them with the fact. But she found it funny and absurd to watch him do it. In addition, the words 'reminded me of the old me' made Aracelli very upset. After all, how could he equate her efforts with his effort which dabbled in black magic which could only be attained by sacrificing a living human being?

"So, I want to give you an opportunity."

"An opportunity?"

"Yes. I plan to take you to a seminar which will be held soon. There, famous magicians from all over the world will gather. You can choose a master there to take you. How is it?"

"But… if someone like me follows them, it might damage the reputation of the master."

"It's okay. Don't worry about such useless things."

"Besides, if I go to a seminar like that, can I understand anything?"

"Of course! You can learn a lot just by attending!"

Aracelli sighed. She really didn't want to go there. It was better to use that time to look for her professor. Just why was he this pushy?

"No need to hesitate. There are so many great and special magicians out there. Some people specialize in making golems, some magicians have successfully teleported objects over long distances, and some magicians made special crystal balls that can communicate with other countries…"

Naturally, they did not interest Aracelli, who had already reached the realm of Archmage. However, Mazellion's next words made her eyes twinkle.

"…Ah, yes! A magician who wields a long, large wand appeared not too long ago. His wand was powerful enough to crush an entire wall with a tremendous roar… I wonder where such a magician came from."

"Wait. By any chance, will that magician come to this seminar too?"

"Huh? Yes… he will be there."

When Aracelli suddenly showed interest, Mazellion was excited. He started to tell her that the magician in question had only appeared a week ago and had started working in a prestigious magic tower in the neighboring country.

After hearing his story, Aracelli was convinced that the magician Mazellion was talking about must have been her beloved Professor.

"I will go! I will go to that seminar."

There was no reason for her to hesitate any longer.

(T/N magician my ass… He's an interdimensional con-artist.)

(P/N why can't there be more decent protagonists…. I miss you, sexy guy…)

I'm a magician.

"Ah! You are that Great Magician! Nice to meet you!"

But apparently, I'm not just an ordinary magician but a 'Great' one. It sounded very strange, but it wasn't exactly wrong. After all, unlike other magicians who used a small wand, I used a wand created in an era far from the current era of this world, a wand called Winchester.

(T/N Okay it might be confusing with the title… But the 'great' magician in the title is the Duke.)

That's a gun, not a wand, you say? No, it was actually a wand here because it had the same function as a wand, which was to unleash an attack to destroy the enemy.

"Can't you show me that wand just once?"

"Hey! Why did you ask something so disrespectful to a Great Magician?"

"Oh, sorry!"

The place I was currently at was Blue Magic Tower. One of the largest magic towers in the Empire. However, even here—a place where numerous prestigious wizards gathered—my wand still looked alien to them. Well, it wasn't surprising since even back in the Vivienda Empire, where their magic technology was far more developed than this world, my old gun, Mega Shooter, was mistaken for a wand. Therefore, it's only natural for the magicians here to think that Winchester is a wand since it even had the function of enhancing bullets with magic. For that reason, I became quite famous throughout the tower even though it's only been a week since I registered here.

-I am currently working as a maid for the Alleroden family.

On my second night in this world, a message from Aracelli arrived. I didn't know why I fell on this distant Blue Magic Tower when Araceli fell on the residence of Duke Alleroden. Though, I knew there must be a reason. Perhaps, it was because the hunting 'chance' would be the highest if it was like this.

As I was thinking about that, while testing the magical value of the Winchester by enchanting it with a new magic with the help of the Flower Pot, an old wizard came to me with five young wizards in tow.

"Magician Yoo Seodam. I heard that you are participating in the next seminar?"

"Yes. That's correct."

"Aren't you being arrogant?"

"Pardon?"

"It has only been a little over a week since you entered the tower. Yet, you've already decided to participate in a seminar…"

"I am participating because I am qualified."

"Huh, do you think that other magicians didn't participate because they don't have the qualifications? You are wrong! They aren't participating so senior magicians can participate first! From the looks of it, it looks like you put too much faith in that special wand of yours… But if you continue to live like that, you'll be kicked out of the tower sooner rather than later. Cancel your admission now and just enter next year's seminar."

I glanced at the young wizards standing behind the old man while he was talking. One of the five magicians was staring sharply at me. It was then that I understood. It seems like he was supposed to attend the seminar, but since I decided to participate, he lost his spot, and it was given to me instead.

The old magician waited for my answer with smug looks on his face. It looks like he thought that he had successfully intimidated me with his petty threat. But unfortunately for him, I don't really mind even if I was kicked out of the tower right now.

"I don't want to."

"What?!?!" The old magician's face became beet red.

"Tell that old magician behind you. If he wants to take my place, he needs to become a better magician. If he doesn't have the skills, of course he won't have the right to enter the seminar. So what if he's older than me? How does it matter when I am a better magician than him? What is he going to do about it?"

"This guy!!!! You dare mock me!?"

Among the magicians, the hierarchical order was considered as extremely important. It was even stricter than the army. However, was that really a necessity? No way. Hierarchy was just the culture of the old folks. This was simply a recipe for repressing talents. Rather, creativity overflows in an unrestrained environment.

But this old magician in front of me seems to be putting that archaic tradition in high regard, and he didn't seem willing to let the matter go.

"YOU!!! I will tell the Vice Tower Master about your transgression right away!"

"Is that so?"

The old magician and the five magicians behind him walked out from my room and climbed up the stairs. With a sigh, I boarded the elevator right beside the stairs. It was a luxurious elevator straight to the Tower Master's room which could only be used by VIPs.

"Oh, our Seodam is here!"

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When I arrived at the Tower Master's office, a beautiful woman, who seemed to be in her early 30s, with wavy red hair that reached her waist, greeted me. Even if she looked young and beautiful like that, her true identity was the Archmage 'Rañasel' who had achieved the level of 7 circles, which was equivalent to SS rank in terms of superhuman on Earth.

For reference, her actual age was in the 70s.

"Hmm… You didn't think about something rude, did you?"

I shuddered at her words. Come to think of it, her specialty was mental magic. From the story I heard around the tower, she was very good at reading other people's minds. Fortunately, since I have a strong protective mental barrier called [Concentration, Rañasel couldn't read my mind properly. But still, since my level was a bit low, when I think of an important word like her age, she could easily see it at the very first glance.

"No. Of course not, Tower Master-nim."

"Is that so? Since I can't read your mind well, I'll believe you~ But whatever, I don't care about what you're thinking!"

"That's a relief."

"But what's wrong with your expression? Is there something wrong?"

"No, everything is okay."

"Fufu, if you have any concerns, feel free to tell this big sister!"

Well, to be honest I indeed have a problem. Or to be exact had caused a problem. By now, that old magician must be pouring out swear words about me in front of the Vice Tower Master. But well, it's not a big deal since the magician simply wants to protect the long-running archaic culture of the tower. It's too annoying to step forward and trample that culture since I wouldn't be here for long.

"By the way, did you find the wizard you were looking for?"

"…"

To briefly explain my 'concept' of this world, I was a magician from another continent as well as a heretic inquisitor who hunts heretic wizards. However, the part about being from 'another continent' drew the interest of the Tower Master. Unlike Earth, the seas of this world were full of all kinds of evil beasts and disasters, making it almost impossible to communicate between continents, and it was said that communication with the neighboring continents was completely cut off around 100 years ago.

In the midst of that, I came and claimed that I had crossed over from the other continent. To be honest, when I said that, I just threw those words without thinking. I didn't know about such a backstory at all. Fortunately, my unique wand, Winchester and the magic of Flower Pot that I often use was a magic which couldn't be found on this continent. Therefore, it gave credibility to my story.

"I haven't found it yet. But that magician will bring harm to the world soon. Before that happens, I must find him." I lowered my voice as I put the most serious expression I could. "…once I find him, I'll deal with him quietly and leave."

Charisma is important after all.

It was said that the first seminar started with a very small number of people. Only about 20 wizards from the Magic University gathered to discuss the truth of magic. But overtime, their seminar's reputation spread all over the world, and by the 2nd and 3rd seminars, the number of people tripled and quintupled, and now, in the 30th seminar, the number of participating magicians had reached 300.

However, the current seminar's goal wasn't as pure as the first seminar. They no longer gathered to study anything related to magic. They simply came to boast their achievements.

"This time, Baron Teres' eldest son has achieved 3rd circle, right?"

"That's right, great achievements at such a young age. If only my son could be half as good as him… Sigh…"

"Eh-hey this guy. Even though your son has a low circle, hasn't he already entered college by presenting a new theory of undifferentiation even though he is still just a young teen?"

In the midst of all the ass-licking and ego boasting, there was one particular name which people uttered more than one time. It was Mazellion Alleroden, the third son of the Duke Alleroden.

Despite the fact that he was only twenty, he had a dignified appearance that did not cower in the slightest in the gathering of middle-class and old wizards. But no one pointed out his cocky attitude. Afterall, Mazellion was the world's most famous magician. A magician who achieved 4 circles at the age of twenty. On top of it, rumour of how Mazellion suddenly changed right when he became 20 and all of his trashy act was nothing but a façade to protect himself also spread.

'All those acts were just to hide the real serpent inside.'

'Scary bastard.'

'The head of the Alleroden family must be very concerned about who will inherit the family in the future.'

The first son, who reached the 6th circle in his 30s, was certainly great, but he had no talent for politics whatsoever. Except for magic, he was ignorant and stupid. However, the youngest was different. His magical talent could be said peerless in the current era. He was also very talented in political warfare and had already turned the political world upside down.

Would it be the eldest brother who was already showing the temperament of an Archmage, or the youngest son who was still growing? That's what everybody present thinks about.

Mazellion Alleroden felt all of their gaze and was engrossed in a sense of superiority. Then he glanced at Aracelli who was slicing the steak in front of her with a knife and shoved it into her mouth little by little.

A seminar was a seminar, but in this place, food and drinks were arranged like a banquet hall. It was said that it was changed to this format ten years ago because it was no longer a place that needed a blackboard and a pen.

'You must be very touched and grateful.' Mazellion smiled as he saw Aracelli's reluctant and careful action.

"Aracelli. You can eat a lot. Eat as much as you want."

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"Yes…"

"How is it? Is it delicious? The steak you eat is a particular cut which only comes out of 500g from 'Blancau'. It's a rare cow that only comes out once every three years. After eating that, you're not even envious of heaven, right?"

After explaining with a voice full of pride, Mazellion smiled widely. He thought that by giving such food to Aracelli, who was a commoner, she would change her mind to marry him because she wanted to eat more of it.

"I see…"

However, contrary to his belief, Aracelli only sighed and felt the taste of the beef on her tongue. Yes, it was definitely delicious. However, as the one and only Archmage who had reached the realm of 9 circles in her world, she could eat as much beef as she wanted for every meal. She just didn't do it because she liked to live frugally.

"Oh, can you wait here for a moment? I have to go and see my father."

"I understand."

After hearing Aracelli's answer, Mazellion quickly got up and headed for the balcony on the top floor where his father was currently at. When Mazellion arrived, The 7 circle Archmage, Duke Alleroden's expression relaxed.

'Lucky old man.'

Magellion said in his head. He didn't really like the old man in front of him. In his head, the fact that he successfully achieved the title Archmage was simply because he was born in a good family and was provided with a suitable learning environment. If he had been born into such a family in his past life, he would undoubtedly have been a better magician than him.

'That family… I will definitely get my hands on it.'

"Your achievements have improved a lot these days." Duke Alleroden said.

"All thanks to your teachings, father."

"I didn't teach you anything. You learned all of it yourself. I'm proud of you."

"…!!!"

Mazellion opened her eyes wide without realizing it. His father, the man who didn't easily put the word 'proud' in his mouth even to his eldest brother, just said those words to him.

'I hope that these words mean…!!!'

"Don't focus on that too much." Duke Alleroden tapped Mazellion on the shoulder and then disappeared into thin air. It was disrespectful to leave during the seminar, however, who could say anything to him?

Mazelion clenched his fists as his body trembled. He really wanted to cheer as loud as he could right now, but he held back. The decision was not set in stone just yet, so he didn't want some obstacle pop out of nowhere to change his father's heart which was leaning towards him rather than his two brothers.

'Yeah, just a little more…!'

Mazellion calmed down and returned to the seminar again, suppressing his joy. However, unlike before, the seminar hall was buzzing with something new.

"Did the Blue Mage and the Great Wizard come together?"

"It's amazing. I heard he came from another continent? Does that mean he uses a different magic system than what we have here?"

"Did you say that his nickname was 'Great Water Wizard'…?"

Great Magician? If it was that magician, Mazellion also remembered it. The reason was simple, it was because he was the only magician Aracelli interested in. If he was here, he had to tell Aracelli about it. He wanted to see her bright smile again. With that thought, Magellion looked around the seminar to find Aracelli.

However,

'Huh?'

Contrary to his expectation, Aracelli had already met the Great Magician.

'How?'

He thought that since she entered as a maid, she wouldn't dare talk to the wizard alone. However, his hunch was proven to be incorrect by the spectacle in front of his eyes. Aracelli's expression while she was having a conversation with that wizard named Yoo Seodam was bright. It was Aracelli's happiest expression he had ever seen.

'Just what!'

When she ate the rare steak earlier, even after she heard the full details of what kind of steak it was, she did not even make such an expression. However, right now, when Yoo Seodam gave Aracelli a few tangerines, she was smiling brightly as she put them in her mouth. It was currently winter right now. So, it was a bit hard to get some tangerines, but still… It was nothing but common food!

How could she show such a happy expression?

'Something, something…'

An unpleasant thought suddenly filled his head, and he held it tight.

In his eyes, Yoo Seodam was just a wandering wizard on the street while he was a man who would become the next head of the Duke Alleroden family. It was rude to even compare himself to that bastard.

'…I'll have to deal with him later.'

Mazellion grinded his teeth and drank the wine violently. It was a 59 years old vintage and rare wine, but he didn't even enjoy its taste, he simply chugged it down like water.

As I had expected, Aracelli came to the seminar after hearing the news about my new title as a 'Great Magician'. She was working as a maid in Duke Alleroden's estate, the protagonist, Mazellion's 'supposed' family. Therefore, it was possible for her to get a rough idea about the protagonist's current situation.

"So, you're saying he's a practitioner of black magic?"

"Yes. In addition to his normal 4 mana circle, I also felt the circles of black mana."

In fact, I already knew that he was a warlock in his previous life through the new function of [Protagonist Hunter]. However, I was not sure if he was also practicing black magic in this lifetime, and if he was, to what level was his mastery. Because of this, the information that Aracelli gave me was very helpful.

'By the way…' While I was talking to Aracelli, I could feel a very strong gaze boring into the back of my head. It wasn't just a normal gaze, but one filled with intent to use magic against me, so I couldn't just ignore it. When I turned my head, I could see Mazellion approaching towards me with a ferocious expression on his face.

He probably had heard the news about me… But was that enough reason for him to look at me like that? No matter how hard I think, there's no reason for him to hold a grudge against me. We haven't had any interactions whatsoever till now. If it was in normal circumstances, this might not have been a very good thing for me, but now, it doesn't really matter because I have already collected almost all the necessary things needed to hunt the protagonist.

"Are you the Great Magician, Yoo Seodam?"

"That's correct. It's a pleasure to meet the youngest son of Duke Alleroden."

"Hmm…"

He stared at me for a moment before turning his gaze to Rañasel, the Tower Master of the Blue Magic Tower.

"Rañasel, the Tower Master of the Blue Magic Tower. It's nice to meet you."

The Blue Magic Tower Master and Duke Alleroden have long been famous for their rivalry. Both of them often collided against each other just to widen their respective influence within the magic society. Therefore, it could be said that it was natural for the child of the Alleroden family to hate the Blue Tower Master. But Mazellion did not show any particular resentment towards her. Rather, he greeted her with her warm expression.

People around him admired him for being able to maintain his poker face so well, but in reality, that was not the case. Mazellion was a reincarnator, so he really had no grudges against Rañasel.

'Being a reincarnator has many advantages in many ways.'

If they were to reincarnate into someone's body who previously had an image of being a trash human, even if they acted like a decent person, people would surely make a great deal of it. This was precisely the case with Mazellion.

Then, Mazellion burst out laughing as he spread out his hands in the air. "Everyone, we have a very special guest today! The 'Great Magician' Yoo Seodam! A magician hailing from across the sea, from a continent far away! Please welcome him with a big round of applause!"

I was taken aback by his sudden announcement. Why is that friend doing this all of a sudden? At the same time, Mazellion's eyes gently turned towards Aracelli.

'What the… Does he have a crush on Aracelli? Did he do all that because of jealousy?'

I looked at Aracelli from the corner of my eyes. And maybe, because she felt my gaze, she fidgeted quite a bit. I had to admit, Aracelli was a very capable and beautiful woman. So, it wouldn't be strange for the protagonist to fall for her. Or maybe, did she seduce him?

So because of that, while I was having a pleasant conversation with Aracelli, Mazellion made that announcement to separate us from each other. But on the contrary to his wish, all the attention he pulled to me was something which would help me.

"Yes. Nice to meet you everybody. Just like what young master Mazellion said, I hail from the neighboring continent across the sea, 'Michelas'."

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"Oh… As expected!"

"Woah, it's surprising that he came from across the continent…"

From the information I heard in the Blue Magic Tower, contact with the neighboring continent Michelas was cut off a hundred years ago. So the appearance of a magician that came from another continent for the first time in a hundred years piqued the curiosity of all magicians present here. They all probably thought that just like the magic on this continent which had developed massively within the last a hundred years, magic in Michelas must've also developed.

In other words, none of them knew anything about the neighboring continent, Michelas. Therefore, I was able to deceive them with the supplies I had and the magic machine developed by Yekaterina as the technology of the neighboring continent Michelas, namely, a suit coated with ether and Winchester with magic enchanted magic bullets which was called 'The Great Wand' here! Even Rañasel, the Tower Master of Blue Magic tower as well as a 7 circle magician couldn't help but be deceived by my lies.

"Let me vouch for his claim. After observing his many magical tools for a week, I could confirm that it works with a system completely different from the magic of our continent. He is truly a magician of Michelas."

When even Master Rañasel affirmed, all the magicians who attended the seminar had no choice but to believe that I was a magician from another continent, Michelas.

Then, what I would do from now on would be crucial. Back when I first met Rañasel, I told her that I came to look for a certain 'magician'. But it was just a background story of mine. It was an excuse for me to be able to exist as a magician of Michelas on this continent. But with the development and all the facts I gathered about Mazellion, I would be able to use that lie here.

"Actually, the reason I came to this continent is to find a certain someone." I lowered my voice even more to heighten the atmosphere. "My mission is to hunt and kill a certain 'warlock'. Surprisingly, there seems to be none on this continent, but in Michelas, we still have those cancerous masses that corrode our society."

"Wha… what?"

"A warlock…!"

In an instant, the light and friendly atmosphere in the hall changed. It was only natural since I brought up a topic of warlock which everyone here believed had completely disappeared a hundred years ago.

"Magician Yoo Seodam, can you take responsibility for your words?"

An old magician asked me with a serious gaze. The pressure he exude was even able to make me nervous, but I had to stand my ground here.

"Yes. In order to cross over to this continent, I had to sacrifice thirty-six fellow Inquisitors. My purpose is to hunt him down because he is a practitioner of the heinous black magic."

This time a voice came from another place.

"Can you explain what kind of magic he possesses?"

Slowly turning my head, I saw a middle-aged man with an impressive curved mustache. He was none other than Duke Alleroden himself.

'What the… Didn't he leave the seminar? Why is he still here?'

I had heard that Duke Alleroden had already left the seminar earlier. But it must have been a bluff to test what the protagonist, Mazellion Alleroden, could do at the seminar without him. However, it seems like since a sensitive topic of 'warlock' suddenly appeared, he did not intend to continue his childish pranks anymore and decided to show himself. Well, it's not at all bad for my plan. With Duke Alleroden here, all the stages were complete.

When I glanced at the Tower Master Rañasel, she looked at me with curious eyes. Her eyes seemed to ask, 'Who is the warlock?'

I answered her by turning my gaze straight to Mazellion Alleroden.

"The black magic he has is 'Possession'. It is a magic that can parasitize someone else's body and take away their entire life. Those who are ignorant of black magic will never be able to stop or prepare for it."

"…!!!"

"Po…possession?"

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"I've never heard of such a magic!"

"It's a magic which we recently discovered in Michelas, so it's only natural that everyone here isn't familiar with it."

The more I elaborated, the more Mazellion's complexion grew paler and paler. It was only natural since the warlock I was talking about was none other than him. However, reincarnating, or what I told them as 'possession', was not black magic. It was simply a tool for the main character's correction. Unfortunately for Mazellion, he just happened to have both of it. Therefore, politics was important.

"I will speak as the Master of the Blue Magic Tower. I respect the words of the magician Yoo Seodam. Therefore, I will do everything I can to help him catch the warlock. If black magic starts to spread in this land once again, something like the 'Warlock's Great War' that had happened a hundred years ago might start again!"

In history, 'black magic' has always been recorded as the cruelest magic of all. It's the same in any world since it was a magic which could only be attained by sacrificing the soul of the living. Of course it didn't mean that Mazellion, after reincarnating, was still sacrificing the living. Because there's a chance that this story was about how he lives a life of atonement and regret for the atrocities he committed in the past. However, that had absolutely nothing to do with me. The fact that Mazellion had black mana circle was the most important fact for me.

"That's right! Just like what the Blue Magic Tower Master said, doesn't history prove it? Black magic has historically been a terrible and uncivilized magic."

"If Michelas' magician could find him, we need to lend him a hand!"

"That's right! Me and my tower will help you to catch the warlock!"

All the elite magicians who participated in the seminar began to agree with me.

"But, do you have a way to find that warlock?"

"Unfortunately, in the process of crossing over to this continent, the machine that is used to locate the warlock had been destroyed. I cannot find him on my own."

Some wizards seemed disappointed at my words, but the quick-witted Duke Alleroden lowered his voice and asked.

"…does that mean that with our help, you will be able to find it?"

"That's right. Didn't magicians in this continent search out the warlocks themselves a hundred years ago? Among the magic tools at that time, there must be one that can detect 'black mana'."

"Ah! That's right. We have one in our vault in our tower."

"There's also one in the museum. I don't know if it works, but if we fix it, we'll be able to use it soon."

I think ours is still intact."

In fact, if I want to, I could easily make a device with the help of Aracelli. However, if I did that, I would rely on all the magicians for the searching process. After all, it's impossible for a foreigner to touch the third son of the Duke Alleroden without any support. If the truth was uncovered with my machine, there's a chance that the Duke family would rebel, saying that it was a conspiracy or whatever.

However, what if they discovered the warlock with their own magic tools from the past? Mazellion would never be able to escape.

"Oh, there is a 'black mana detection tool' in our tower. If it's not rude, can I bring it out now? I was thinking that if it were a warlock, he would have hid in this place, where the most talented wizards gathered." Rañasel gave up her usual light tone, and said it with a serious tone. At her words, all the magicians present nodded their heads.

"It's fine! There is actually someone who has mastered such terrible black magic, I think I wouldn't be able to sleep soundly if they were around."

"I'm glad that the Blue Magic Tower has a detection tool."

After a while, Rañasel brought the magic tool out. Meanwhile, Mazellion took a step back from her while watching the magic tool being installed in the center of the venue. He knew that the moment the light came on, his identity would be revealed.

Even though he'd never learned possession magic, even though he had never used black magic properly after being reincarnated, and the circles were only the accumulation of Mana he had gathered in his previous life, he knew that for everyone, he was nothing but a warlock.

He looked at the Duke of Alleroden with a pale face. But the Duke betrayed his expectations and just nodded his head.

"From now on, no one can leave the seminar."

At that moment, Mazellion sensed his end.

Mazellion gnawed at his nails and looked around the hall. Unlike before, where he felt superior while basking under everyone's envious glances, now he was sweating profusely, trying to figure out how to overcome this situation. He was well aware that as soon as Rañasel brought the magic tool, installed it in the middle of the room and activated it, his black mana circles would be exposed, cementing his death.

However, in the middle of the terrible pressure pressing down on his shoulder,

['Protagonist Correction' has been activated.]

Mazellion suddenly remembered his past life. The memory which came up was something he had completely forgotten about until a few seconds ago. He was grateful and elated since the memory suited very well with the predicament he was currently facing.

'If you want to live even if you give up all your black magic, use this method!'

The raspy voice of his teachers who first taught him about black magic echoed inside his mind. It was a ridiculous notion, he thought. No magicians in the world would ever want to lose their magic. They would rather choose death than sacrifice their hard-earned magic. But what if there was a reason to give up magic and live? In the case of warlocks, there were often times when they would have to sacrifice their magic to live. The method they used was a spell called 'circle break'. Just like its name implies, it destroys all the circles spinning around one's heart!

Once used, they wouldn't be able to build the destroyed mana circles ever again. Fortunately, Mazellion had two types of mana circles rather than one.

'It's a waste to give up on the black mana circle, but it's better than dying!' He thought. Black mana was a type of mana which was considerably denser than the normal white or blue mana. It was proven by the fact that even when he currently only had 3 black mana circles, the power it had was at the same realm as 4 to 5 normal mana circles. In other words, together with his normal 4 circle, even if he competes against a 6 circle magician, he could stand his ground. And if the situation was favourable to him, he could even defeat a 7 circle Archmage!

However, in this hall, there were as many as two 7 circle Archmage. On top of it, there were also hundreds of wizards who could be called geniuses in their own rights. It was simply impossible for him to beat all of them alone. Sacrificing his black mana circle was the only option he had.

'Damn it. If I had had one more year, I would have regained my former state, killed everyone in this place, and destroyed the evidence…' Mazellion gritted his teeth as he thought about it. Losing his black mana circle was a very painful loss, but it couldn't be helped. It was far better than dying again.

As soon as he figured out what he should do, Mazellion left the hall. No one could leave the seminar hall, but it doesn't mean that the garden was also off limits.

'If I do it here, the residual black mana from destroying the circle won't spread to the venue.'

Settling down in this desolate garden, Mazellion instantly spinned the 3 black mana circles in full force.

"Keukk…!" A subdued groan leaked through his mouth. His whole body was sweating. Circle break was something which was accompanied by excruciating pain and a great sense of loss. But for survival, those were something he would gladly take. After all, just by continuing living, he would be able to enjoy many things that couldn't even be compared to his black circle. Becoming the head of the world's most prestigious magic family, and enjoying a life full of love with the world's most mysterious and beautiful magician girl, Aracelli.

'That's alright, as long as I survive, all of those will be mine!' Mazellion clenched his teeth and focused. Slowly, the black mana circle around his heart began to crack.

Accompanied with a cracking sound only he could hear, one of the circles shattered. The residual mana leaked out to the air in the shape of black smoke. It lingered in the air for a few moments before disappearing without a trace.

With another crack, the second circle also collapsed. A sense of loss washed over him. It was as if he had lost all of the limbs he had used all his life. Or perhaps even worse than that. Along with that sense of loss, a pain worse than before assaulted his body. More black mana flowed out and disappeared.

It was a flawless act of erasing evidence. The magicians here did not even know how to detect the black mana remaining in the air, so even if the black mana sensor starts working, no one will know that it was even there.

'The last one!'

Crack-!!

Spider's web-like crack ran all over the last black mana circle around his heart. After shaking uncontrollably for a few heartbeats, it shattered.

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"Heukkkk!" Immediately after, Mazellion fell to his front. With all of his remaining power, he forced his hand to support his collapsing body by putting it against the ground. The veins around his eyes had burst, tears of blood were running through his face. But amidst the exhaustion and pain, Mazellion smiled happily. The black mana circle around his heart had completely disappeared! Once he returned to the hall, he would once again bask in the glory he felt earlier that day without any worry. Only a flowery path was waiting for him from here and out.

Whoosh-!!

"Ugh-huh!?" However, at that time, a light-based spell pierced through Mazellion's abdomen. The ultra-high heat spell instantly cauterized his wound, leaving only a gaping hole. But the pain wasn't going anywhere. Mazellion grabbed his stomach and lifted his head.

'It's an incredibly high-speed attack which won't even allow my mana shield to activate…!'

When a high-level wizard was hit by a magic that he wasn't prepared for, the circle around their heart would automatically activate a mana shield to protect them. Even though he had quite a bit of practical experience with it, he didn't notice this attack at all.

'The caster is at least 7 circles. Who the hell…!' Mazellion sweated as he thought about that. He slowly forced his head to turn into the direction where the spell was coming from. When he saw the figure who was standing there, he couldn't help but be surprised. She was someone he knew; someone he loved; and someone he cherished the most in this life. Still wrapped in the maid suit, Aracelli was standing there with her finger pointing at him indifferently. But, for some reason, her hair wasn't as dark as night anymore. It was as white as snow. The lingering amount of sparkling mana gathered on her fingertips made it clear that she was the one who used the magic that had just pierced his abdomen.

"A-aracelli. Why are you…! Aren't we in love with each other?"

"Please wake up from your delusion."

"Huh?" Mazellion's heart sank as he looked at Aracelli. Gone was the shy and beautiful Aracelli he knew. Replaced by her was Aracelli who looked at him condescendingly. It was as if she was looking at a mere insect.

"I have already given my heart to someone. Who would like to date a man like you when I have a better one?"

"What, what…?" He tried to open his mouth to ask further. But before he could do so, someone appeared from behind Aracelli. It was Yoo Seodam, the heretic inquisitor from another continent.

"Yoo Seodam…" Mazellion clenched his teeth and glared at him. Heretic inquisitor? It doesn't matter. Just remembering the fact that he plotted this situation made his anger flare up. He tried to direct all of his mana into the tip of his finger as he forced his hand to move.

However, Yoo Seodam only looked at it without any interest. He casually moved his Winchester over his shoulders and watched the message floating in the air in front of him.

[The protagonist's ability temporarily decreases!]

[Detecting change on protagonist Mazellion's level: 183(-93)]

His stats had weakened by a lot. It was now at a level where Yoo Seodam could easily win in a direct fight. But he didn't feel like wasting his precious bullet and his or Aracelli's precious mana to end him. So, he took a step back.

"Where…!" The moment Mazellion shouted as he tried to cast a magic spell at Yoo Seodam who looked like he was about to escape, a huge barrier was created in the air, nullifying the magic he had painstakingly casted.

"…!!" Mazellion's eyes widened as he saw the gigantic barrier. A familiar mana could be felt from it.

'Don't tell me…' Mazellion's heart which was already in tattered, beating more vigorously than forever. It was not because he regained his strength or something like that. Rather, it was because he was gripped by fear.

Mazelion slowly looked to the air. Floating there was the great 7 circles Archmage, Duke Alleroden, the head of the House of Alleroden. He looked at him while the hem of his clothes fluttered.

"I am sorry, son. No, I don't think I should call you son anymore at this point." However, the truth was, he was not looking at Mazellion but at the hint of black smoke which still lingered in the air.

"Ah, uh…! This, this… is not what it looks like, it's a misunderstanding…!"

"I am disappointed in myself for having acknowledged you for a while."

"Damn it!!" When Duke Alleroden moved his hand, Mazellion squeezed every bit of his remaining mana. However, he only had 4 circles without his black mana circle. He was powerless.

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"I should not have erased the circle…!" If that was the case, at the very least, he would be able to kill Duke Alleroden. But his regret came too late.

[You have killed a level 183 protagonist.]

[1830 days of lifespan has been paid.]

[Your current lifespan: 10128 days 16 hours 12 minutes]

[Your level has been raised by 4.]

Mazellion's second life came to an end just like that.

With Mazellion's death, the case was quickly closed. As a result of the incident, Duke Alleroden suffered a huge dent in his reputation while the Blue Magic Tower Master, who helped me, benefited greatly.

"Our cutie~ You can just live here as long as you want~! If there's anything you need, just tell me! This sister will deliver it to you!"

While Duke Alleroden faltered, Tower Master Jurina Rañasel was building up her power by pushing her own policies to the magic world. Because my contribution was big in the endeavour, she cared for me quite a bit. For that reason, I was being treated as a VVIP in the Blue Magic Tower while researching new skills I got from Mazellion with Araceli.

The skill name was ['Double Circle (SSS)'.]. A common skill that was owned by protagonists in a genre related to magic. Of course, it was a skill reserved only for the protagonist while other magicians could only use a single circle.

Because of that fact, the system warned me,

[If you use the skill, 'probability' will accumulate around you in high quantities.]

In other words, if I ever use the skill, the chance of me turning into 'protagonist' would skyrocket. However, even after knowing that, I still used the skill. To be strong? No. It would certainly be a great help to me, but I didn't take it for that reason.

"You're going to make another mana circle from now on."

"I understand…"

My reason was because I wanted to give it to Aracelli. She was a young girl who first began wandering through dimensions in order to search for me. She had once achieved 9 magic circles and was an Archmage who went down in history. But all of her mana was frozen as a result of her fearless attempt to cross the dimension. It could be alleviated to some extent by replacing it through my 'Ara-Sunyoung Mana Circling technique', but there's limits to that. That's why this 'double circle' was the least I could do for Aracelli.

She had always helped me without getting or expecting anything in return. That's why I wanted to do something for her, even a little. So, I took the risk of accumulating probability. I knew I wouldn't turn into the protagonist with only this much probability. I only need to consume it to move to another world.

"It would be nice to move on to the next world right away, but if we move now, there's a chance we will arrive at a different point once again. So, for the time being, let's stay together in the tower and focus on creating your second mana circle."

Perhaps it would be a more difficult and arduous journey than the time when she first created her mana circle. Because unlike me, who formed a mana circle through skill, Aracelli created hers through hard work and talents alone.

"Yes… That's right." She nodded his head weakly. Probably she knew how much pain she would suffer in the future. I ruffled her hair and activated the double circle to convey the concept itself clearly to her.

At that moment, a message popped up in front of me.

[You are on your way to becoming a Protagonist ~('_'~). Accept it (',') It's okay(́,̀)( )]

"…? Professor, why did you stop suddenly?"

"No. It's nothing."

The ominous message kept bothering me, but it should be fine for now.

Not yet. I wouldn't turn into a protagonist just yet. My intuition said so.

While Yoo Seodam was waiting for Aracelli to finish her double circle, on Earth, Yekaterina was drinking a cup of coffee in silence as she watched the sun set. Her current location wasn't in her usual office in the Floating Garden of Spirits, but at 'Another League' in the middle of Gangnam. Although the building couldn't be said as the true hideout of Another League, this 40-story tall building was still packed with facilities befitting a famous guild, such as training grounds and storage room for both magic tools and ether dispenser .

"Hmmm…" Yekaterina hummed as she stared wordlessly at the huge window which also functions as a monitor. Information related to 'Hell Gate' was being displayed there. Moreover, it also displayed any change that happened in real time. Normally, the information in front of Yekaterina was something which couldn't be obtained, no matter how large the guild is. It was top-secret information. But thanks to Lacanthal who was helping the government to research Hell Gate, Another League became an exception.

However, even with the myriad of knowledge which Lacanthal possessed, he still told Yekaterina this, 'Hell Gate is a natural disaster. No matter how strong we are, we can never win against the laws of nature. Just think about it this way: the world hates us, and it is trying to push us away. We can never win against it. The best we can do is resist.'

In other words, even with Lacanthal's knowledge and technology, it was still impossible to completely stop the Hell Gate's expansion. He was just slowing it down.

However, it's not like there's no other way to stop it. Lacanthal's conclusion was only based on the premise that they did it from outside of the Hell Gate. If they ventured inside the Hell Gate and destroyed its core, or the 'thing' keeping the Hell Gate alive, surely, they would be able to stop the destruction of Earth. But, as of now, that method was not feasible. Humanity still doesn't know where the location core or the 'thing' inside Hell Gate was located. On top of it, it was akin to suicidal to just enter to search for it since the minimum energy wavelength of Hell Gate was estimated to be higher than an 'URS'.

'If it's around URS level… it's at the same level as the Supreme Dharma that Seodam-nim had killed the other day.' Yekaterina sighed. Considering it takes dozens of S rank hunters to handle a single S rank gate, it means that it would take at least dozens of hunters with strength on par with Supreme Dharma to clear the Hell Gate. But currently, there is no such strong force on Earth. Even Seol Jungyeon, who was hailed as Earth's strongest, was only at the level of the SSS rank.

Yekaterina was then reminded of what Lacanthal said to her.

'Giving up and accepting the 'destruction' is also a possible choice.'

His words were indeed true. Once we accepted it, we would live our lives every day as best as we possibly could knowing that it would end someday.

However…

'Will Seodam-nim give up?'

There were always people who would still fight even though they knew that it was impossible to win. Yoo Seodam was one of those people. On top of it, unlike other people, he had the power to really create a 'miracle'.

"Whoa!!!" Yekaterina, who had turned off the monitor and was about to open her laptop, jolted in surprise as her own shadow began to rise up.

"Reporting in." From within the now standing shadow, a handsome man with long black hair walked out. He was the very man who could infiltrate any place in the world as long as there is shadow there.

"Starting three days ago, there's a man who has been monitoring this building."

"Monitoring us?"

"That's right. His constant monitoring is suspicious, so I tried to identify him. But since his stealth skill was also quite good, I failed to do so."

"…" Yekaterina felt at a loss for words. The man in front of her was an Expert in the terms of Murim, as well as a master of stealth. He was strong enough to detect any kind of movements from someone with S rank level of stealth. If he failed to identify someone, it means that the opponent had at least S rank or higher detection ability or S rank or higher stealth skill.

'Why is such a person monitoring our guild…?' Yekaterina closed her eyes for a moment and pondered. "It will be fine. It won't be as difficult as you think to identify who the other person is."

"Is that so?"

"Yes. There aren't many people who have stealth and detection skills of S rank or higher. If we limit it further to hunters, the number will be reduced even further. Were there any Experts in the New Murim Alliance who have stronger stealth skills than yours?"

"As far as I know, there is none."

"Then, I think we should focus our search on those with superpowers. It won't take long."

At Yekaterina's words, Smiling Shadow nodded his head.

"I'll look at it from now on, so just go back and rest."

"I understand."

After Smiling Shadow disappeared once again into her shadow, Yekaterina immediately contacted the Hunter Association and requested a list of those with S rank or higher stealth and detection skills.

At the same time, she couldn't help but feel a bit uneasy.

'Why is an S rank hunter watching us…?'

A month had passed since I hunted Mazellion. And since then, both Aracelli and I were living a pretty luxurious life in the Blue Magic Tower. However, we couldn't truly enjoy the luxury since we were working hard to complete Aracelli's double circle. It would have been very disappointing if we had worked hard and had no results, but surprisingly, the results came in just one month.

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"Fyuuh… Professor, I finished it."

"Really? You already completed a double circle?"

"Yes. But, It's a bit awkward. It feels like the new mana is rotating in the opposite direction. If I move the circle incorrectly, I might even get a 'mana side effect'."

Mana side effect was a slightly different phenomenon from 'mana rebound' which occurs if you cancel a magic in the middle of casting it. It could be seen as the magic counterpart of 'backlash' when someone failed their meditation on martial arts.

"But in the end, I made it without any problems!" Aracelli smiled brightly. Now, in addition to her nine frozen circles around her heart, another mana circle was spinning. Although the amount of mana was miniscule compared to her original mana pool, it was still fine as it was possible to regain her original power as she continued to build it up step by step.

"That's why I also created a new circling technique, I called it 'Aracelli-style double circling technique'! Should I teach it to you, Professor?"

"Oh, no. I can't learn that." I shook my head at her proposal. The reason why Aracelli could do it was because of her insane talent of handling mana. Meanwhile, I don't know how to handle mana by myself at all, so it's impossible. It's the truth I learnt while developing a mana circling technique with Ha Sunyoung back then.

"Anyway, I'm so glad you made it." I ruffled her hair as I said so. With her success, there's no reason for us to be in this world any longer. We got up straight away, and went to Tower Master's office to say our goodbye.

"Oh, are you going back already?"

"Yes. My business here is over."

"Hmm~ So are you going back to Michelas~? Do you need any help to find your ship? You said that the ship you boarded had sunk, didn't you~?"

Ah. Now that I think about it, I had that kind of backstory, didn't I?

"It's fine. There is a way to go back even without the ship."

"Is that so~?" She smiled meaningfully as soon as she finished her words.

Don't tell me, did this ahjumma notice that I was lying to her?

"Anyway… be safe on your journey. Is your girlfriend going with you too?"

"Yes."

"It's a pity… I thought I was going to get that kid, she seems talented. Creating a circle in just one month is just simply amazing."

"…"

I closed my mouth shut at her words. I struggled not to tell her that Aracelli was not just talented, but already a much stronger magician than her.

"Then, we will go. Thank you for your hospitality."

『Who Will Be Killed In The Dark Night Sky?』

#SciFi #Psychology #Thriller #Mystery

"Let's go right away." This time, though. I grabbed Aracelli's hand so that I could feel her presence and wouldn't arrive separately just like when we arrived in this world. In addition, most of the 'probability' accumulated in my body was used for her dimensional shift. The leftover probability would also be used to prevent Aracelli from becoming one year younger.

[Moving to Drifting Spaceship Zermelt 13, the world where the protagonist 'Haucolor', resides.]

[10…9…8…]

[2…1…0]

[Moving complete.]

[You have become an uninvited guest of Zermelt 13.]

The moment I opened my eyes,

Rumble-!!

"Ugh?!"

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"What!"

The ground shook. Thankfully, I managed to keep my focus and quickly leaned against the wall.

[The skill 'Protagonist Hunter' has been activated to help you adapt to the environment, but the air in this place is seriously lacking!]

[You need air!]

"What?"

I glanced to the side and saw Aracelli covering her mouth with a pale expression on her face. I realized belatedly that I was able to adapt thanks to the skill, but she couldn't.

"Damn it, it's crazy right off the bat!!" I looked around quickly and realized that the walls were all black. No, when I looked closely, it wasn't a wall. It was a window. I misunderstood it since the outside was just too dark.

"Outer space…" Yes, It was space. The ground I was treading on was a drifting spaceship.

"Aracelli, get up."

"…eugh."

I took Aracelli, who barely managed to survive thanks to turning her circle into my hand and ran to the other side of the hallway. Automatic doors opened and closed by itself as I passed. It was a mechanism beyond my knowledge level. Meanwhile, alarms echoed throughout the hallway.

-Emergency! Air pressure in hangar 3 is extremely low!

[Hangar 3: 39%]

-Passengers in hangar 3, please exit as soon as possible.

Holographic maps suddenly floated up in the air, so I ran and ran through the twisted hallways while looking at them. From the map, I could tell that the spaceship was modeled after a spider or maybe a maze. It was difficult to find the way because several small corridors were connected together. But thanks to the map, we managed to arrive at 'Sector 7'.

"Cough!! Cough!! Cough!!"

"Haa…" Fortunately there was plenty of air here, so oxygen was pumped deep into my lungs as soon as the automatic door closed. I never knew oxygen could be so sweet. It seems that the saying which goes 'people will start to appreciate something once they lost it' was indeed true.

"Aracelli, are you okay?" But before Aracelli could answer, shadows loomed over us. They were some kind of armor… No, they were five soldiers in sleek space suits pointing their guns at us.

"Who are you?"

"How did you get here?"

"Are there any such guys among the remaining passengers?"

"I don't know, I saw them for the first time!"

Their language was automatically translated by the skill as I heard it. I raised my arms—a universal body language to all nations, or even all over the dimension—to signify that I had no intention of resistance.

"We are only passing by."

The system had told me that currently I was an 'uninvited guest'. Therefore, there was no use pretending to be a passenger. I need to get my 'concept' right from the beginning, or it will surely come back to bite me later on.

"Passing by?"

"Well, then maybe there's even a spaceship?"

"Your spaceship! Get us to your spaceship! Let's leave this place!"

"I knew that a rescue ship would be coming! Whoa! I lived, I lived!"

"Eh?" What is this situation… This wasn't what I wanted.

The soldiers were all wearing colorful helmets of different colors. One of them who was wearing a red helmet came up to me and said, "Thank you, it looks like you heard our signal. Where is your spaceship? If you tell us, we will guide you there!"

"…"

Unfortunately for him, I couldn't live up to their expectations.

"There is no such thing…"

"Huh?"

"What?"

Afterall, I didn't come here with a spaceship…