Great Wizard Transcending with Mythology - chapter 15

Episode 15

The knowledge of the sage lies within the realm of faith.

These were the words Dezium endlessly repeated to himself.

Faith.

Yes, there is something that the mage believe in firmly enough to be called faith, even though they do not believe in a god.

That is the truth.

And what the mage of the Tower call the truth is none other than the teachings of the sage.

At this very moment, a great master stands at the pinnacle of Babel magic tower.

If it is the teachings of a being that can be considered my roots, then of course I must believe in it.

Moreover, the teachings of the first sage were like nothing that had been denied before, akin to ‘truth.’

Yes, that’s how it was.

Until just a moment ago.

“What on earth…”

Dezium grasped his head in disbelief at the reality he could not accept.

The mana that had scattered had returned to its original state, but the shock had not disappeared.

Mana had scattered.

It is known that scattering mana is a prerogative of high-ranking mage.

The reason is simple.

It requires knowledge and understanding of mana that is at least at the level of the 7th rank.

And all of this is impossible without ever reaching the 7th rank.

So, does this mean that even Grave Duke, who is said to have reached the 9th rank, is one of those high-ranking mage?

That is unlikely.

Dezium knew better than anyone that it was almost impossible.

Interfering with his own mana wasn’t even ‘overwhelming.’

If anything, it was more like…

“Poking a gap?”

Yes, it was closer to that feeling.

Confusing.

This incident meant that there were flaws in the training methods of the sage that Dezium believed in.

But he could not possibly understand the principle behind it himself.

Research requires some foundation to begin with, but there is really nothing here.

Moreover, discussing this casually in the Tower could lead to serious consequences.

“The string are in the duke’s hands.”

The only one who could solve this mystery was Grave Duke.

And if the duke indeed knew the flaws in the Tower’s training methods, then this was truly no ordinary matter.

While most beings could solve this with the power and authority of the Tower, it was impossible for an imperial duke.

It was a time of pondering.

“Behold, mage.”

A familiar laughter echoed near Dezium , who was deep in thought.

No, not familiar.

‘This voice…!’

Dezium ‘s expression twisted, and he turned his head abruptly.

“You, you are…!”

“Envious?”

“W-What, what…!”

Dezium almost cast a spell in his frenzy, but he managed to stop himself with superhuman patience, then looked at the owner of the voice.

Alonso.

Later, I learned that he was the commander of the Grave Duke’s magical battalion, a madman.

…Magical battalion commander.

Look at that pathetic expression.

Is there any dignity of the 7th rank or the wisdom of a mage?

“What nonsense are you talking about!”

“Well, I just thought since you seem to be in deep thought, being a fellow mage and all, I might offer some advice.”

Alonzo said, maintaining his pathetic expression and tapping his sword.

“S-Still, what right do you have to…!”

“Oh, so you won’t listen?”

“…I could tell you to leave. But I’ll hear you out for now.”

As Dezium tried to contain his anger, Alonzo continued, flicking his cape.

“If, if you’re going to deliver information, don’t do it in empty words.”

“What?”

“Well, you see. Even in the Information Guild, the value of information varies depending on its importance or rarity.”

“…And this incident… You must have seen it too, but it’s information that can’t be bought even with a fortune.”

With those words, Alonzo fluttered his cape again and subtly showed off his gleaming armor.

Ting.

A vein popped on Dezium ‘s forehead.

Being scratched and provoked constantly, he felt he might have exploded if it weren’t for his superhuman patience.

But it was regrettable.

He had to endure here.

“What… are you trying to say?”

With gritted teeth, Dezium asked, his voice trembling.

If I can see even a glimpse of knowledge towards reaching the truth, I must endure this humiliation.

“Well, you just need to sign one simple thing.”

“S-Sign…?”

“Yes. Sign.”

Alonzo shouted confidently.

“I, Alonzo, am a knight, but at the same time, I am an excellent 7th rank mage! Surprisingly, there’s not much difference between a knight and a mage!”

“…!”

“Sign, mage!”

“Ugh…!”

Dezium wanted to cry.

But what could he do?

The one holding the sword was Alonzo.

Alonzo waited, then held out paper and pen to Dezium as if to say, ‘Go on.’

“G-Grrr… Mmmgh…!”

More important than the humiliation he was experiencing was the unchanging great truth…

“A mage… is also a knight…”

That day, Dezium sold his pride as a mage.

In the end, by selling his pride, Dezium was able to hear the ‘solution’ from Alonzo.

“Ahem, so, I mean, you can receive forgiveness.”

“S-Speak…”

Trembling, Dezium opened his mouth.

It wasn’t the best way, but it was a way to hear the solution even with this humiliating signature.
However, the ‘method’ that came out of his mouth…

“Bow your head.”

“Huh…?”

Classic, but also the most difficult to think of first.

“Bow my… head?”

“Yes.”

“Just a moment, even though I’m a 7th-rank mage, do you really think I would…”

Dezium glared at Alonzo, but his reaction was quite bland.

“Are you… kidding me?”

“….!”

“Well, if you don’t like it, then don’t do it.”

Even though he was about to turn away, Alonzo continued to provoke with a disdainful expression.

‘Restrain yourself.’

Getting involved here would only lead to defeat.

The most important thing is the truth.

If I can see even a glimpse of knowledge towards reaching the truth, I must endure this humiliation.

“So, just bowing my head is all it takes?”

Having already sold his pride once, what harm could come from selling it again?

* * *

“My lord.”

“Why.”

Lepentier was looking at me with a very subtle expression.

Of course, I could guess why.

“It’s already been a week.”

“Oh, has it been a week already?”

Time flies, doesn’t it?

I stopped swinging my sword and wiped the sweat with a towel.

“Already a week.”

After impulsively using Alonzo, a week had passed.

Dezium acted just as I thought. Like a madman obsessed with knowledge.

He continued to ask for forgiveness and express remorse.

“So, what are you doing today?”

“I’m starting to feel my legs again. At this rate, I might be able to stand up straight soon. Is that alright with you, my lord?”

“It’s fine. I’m actually quite satisfied seeing you gradually learn proper manners.”

Quite a proud change, isn’t it?

If I leave him alone for a month, I might see a mage standing upright like a tree.

“A mage standing upright like a tree… Wouldn’t you like to see that?”

“I’d rather not.”

“Do you really not want to see it?”

Lepentier asked cautiously.

“My lord, he is the head of the magic tower. Leaving him like this…”

“Well, it’s getting a bit too much.”

In the Tower of Babel, there are five “Grand Research Labs.”

The top facilities in Babel that transcend the various faculties and factions within.

Naturally, the owners of each Grand Research Lab are among the most prominent figures in Babel, second only to the sages.

And the head of the training is undoubtedly the future elite who serves these “owners of the Grand Research Labs” most closely.

In other words, Dezium is an elite with a guaranteed future in Babel.

There’s no need to do more.

Just one look is enough.

“Anyway, I was thinking of calling him soon. It’s been a week.”

“Then…”

“Bring him.”

Although I used Alonzo impulsively, it’s not easy for that prideful mage to bow his head and apologize for a week.

This should be enough.

“Yes, my lord!”

Lepentier left with a relieved expression.

And after a while…

“My lord…”

Dezium walked over, leaning on his waist, hobbling.

“Thank you for preparing a place for me to apologize and seek forgiveness. This grace…”

“Formalities are over.”

I waved my hand, signaling to get to the point.

“I already know what you want. You didn’t spend a week humbling yourself because you wanted to.”

“T-That’s…”

“You’re curious, aren’t you?”

“…!”

Dezium looked up sharply at my words.

His eyes were filled with an insatiable desire for knowledge.

Even a 15-year-old boy could overpower a 7th-rank mage.

It’s something any magician would find impossible to maintain composure in front of.

Out of fear? No.

Is it because the situation itself is so humiliating?

Of course, that’s not it either.

The answer is…

“How did I scatter your mana? You can’t stand the thought of not knowing.”

In the end, that’s what it is.

Curiosity.

That’s the essence of a magician seeking the truth.

“If you’re good, you might even be able to glimpse the 8th rank by improving the flaws in the training methods.”

That’s the most important part.

“However, is that all you want?”

“…Yes?”

“Did you spend a week bowing your head just to improve a single flaw in Babel’s training methods?”

What is the most effective way to win the loyalty of a magician?

That is…

“Even though you are only a 7th-rank, how much can you understand this structure?”

If a high-ranking magician who can understand the knowledge represented by this magic sees it…

“Ahhhh!”

Dezium reached out towards the wave of mana approaching him, tears streaming down his face.

The moment I saw his expression, I

knew.

“He’s crossed the line.”

A magician could not resist crossing over.

Especially Dezium , whose thoughts on magic bordered on fanaticism.

“Do you want magic?”

Dezium , without even thinking to wipe away his tears, looked at my outstretched hand in silence.

Thump!

He immediately knelt down, bowed his head to the ground.

“I do, wise one!”

Praising me with the highest praise a magician can offer, he pleaded.

TL:NOTES:- ENJOY THE CHAPTER,