SomaRead | The Incompetent Mage’s Infinite Regression

Chapter 9

Ethan looked at the Mazok at the front.

First, what was visible was a head with a pair of gray horns. The horns started behind both ears, curved forward towards the forehead, and then pointed upwards above the glabella. It was a crown-shaped horn that Ethan had read about in books. But for a Mazok's appearance, horns were just a partial feature.

The skin was overall blue-gray, but the thin skin on the face, nape, and palms had a bluish purple hue. This was because even for a Mazok, their blood was red.

The hair was a bright magenta, a color not found among humans. Besides the long hair swept back, there were four braided strands, fastened with cylindrical gold crafts.

The most impressive feature within the delicate facial structure was the eyes. The pupils were a radiant red, and for some reason, they were looking at Ethan. But soon, his gaze shifted towards Rebilton.

Rebilton offered his hand first.

"It's a pleasure to meet you. I am Professor Rebilton Fabierre. This is Ethan, the reference witness."

"Ah, are you Rebilton of the Hunting Sword? I've heard much of you even in the distant east."

"It's an honor."

"I am Shirund Zen of the Madowon. I have come in the capacity of an investigator."

Shirund expressionlessly scanned Ethan.

Ethan belatedly offered his hand.

"Ah, I am Ethan Dora Charasen."

But Shirund did not take his hand.

"You are not a mage?"

"...Excuse me?"

"My bloodline can see Mana and Magical Power with their eyes. You are not performing a mage's breathing. But neither is there the smell of an alchemist nor their tools. Incompetent individuals like you challenge something with the recklessness of youth, but soon realize their limitations. Such people choose one of two paths. They wisely find their place, or they commit forbidden acts."

Shirund looked coldly at Ethan.

"Have you perhaps ever been interested in Black Magic?"

Ethan felt his heart tighten.

As soon as they met, Shirund had assumed that Ethan had dabbled in Black Magic based on simple observation and deduction. Of course, it would be nothing more than a probe. Without evidence that Ethan was a black mage, such thoughts were mere fantasies.

The problem was that Ethan was actually a black mage.

<Probably?>

Even without that, people who lie are bound to show signs. Ethan was confident in his acting and lying skills, but he judged that he couldn't be sure if he could deceive this Mazok.

After a moment of silence, Ethan spoke.

"Black Magic..."

The dining hall doors opened again.

A Mazok with purple hair and braided strands rushed into the great hall.

"Shirund! We've found the black mage!"

"Where did you find them?"

"It's a first-year student named Maiya Onyx."

"...Hmm, lead the way."

The Mazok, and even Rebilton, quickly shuffled out of the great hall.

Ethan was the only one left in the spacious great hall.

"...Huh?"

∞

Feeling awkward waiting in the great hall, Ethan considered returning to his dormitory. He wanted to check his room for any potentially suspicious traces before the Empire's Mazok returned.

As Ethan opened the door, there was a Mazok walking towards Ethan.

"Where are you trying to run off to?"

A pair of bright yellow eyes stared at Ethan.

Even without the eyes, Ethan could immediately tell it was a Mazok because of the skin color. Unlike Shirund's light blue-gray, this one had dark blue skin, and the pair of horns were not crown-shaped but spiral horns starting above the forehead and curving between the ear and the back of the head, ending in a point above the ear, reminiscent of a sheep's.

This was the same Mazok who had just reported that a first-year student named Maiya Onyx was the black mage. The long hair on the right side was braided and tied with silver ornaments. He had only thought it was purple hair, but looking from the front, the hair inside the loose strands on the left was silver-white.

Ethan spread his hands to show he had no intention of resisting.

"Run off? I was just about to go look for Professor Rebilton after waiting for quite a while."

The Mazok said.

"...Did you say your name was Ethan Dora Charasen? I am Moraiots Sing, an assistant investigator from the Madowon. I have come to meet you in place of Investigator Shirund-nim. Although he is not here at the moment, this investigation is also permitted by Professor Rebilton Fabierre. Do you have any objections?"

Ethan hesitated whether to object. But thinking about Rebilton's words, it didn't seem like Moraiots' words were particularly false, and it seemed more advantageous to appear cooperative.

"No. Shall we go back to the dining hall?"

"I heard your room is inside this school. Lead the way."

Ethan walked a half step ahead.

"Is an investigation of me necessary? You said the student named Maiya is the black mage."

"That black mage Maiya was completely terrified and used Black Magic beyond her ability. It's not a very powerful magic, but Shirund-nim and the professors are trying to calm the commotion without harm. But separate from that, the investigation request submitted to the Madowon listed you as a reference witness. We must investigate you."

Ethan realized that the faint noise he had been hearing from afar earlier was due to the first-year student named Maiya.

"But why is the Madowon conducting the investigation?"

"It is dangerous for the Imperial Inquisition to resolve its own problems internally. If there's some malady within the Imperial Inquisition, they will try to hide it. So, another institution from the Empire with similar status and role takes charge."

"Ah, you're also conducting arbitrary inspections."

Demi asked.

<User, but what role does the Madowon play in the Empire? Earlier, Vine mentioned the Demon King's Castle. Why does the Empire have multiple institutions?>

Moraiots said.

"I also have a question."

"Go ahead."

"Is this yours?"

Saying that, Moraiots showed him something wrapped in a small cloth. Ethan couldn't recognize it immediately. At first, it looked like nothing was there. Just a piece as small as a fingernail. But sparkling paper fragments were not common items. It was glitter from exploding fireworks.

Ethan saw no point in lying.

"It's a paper fragment used in my magic. Where did you get it?"

"I heard that someone named Bien, who was expelled from this school, collected it. At first, I didn't think it was suspicious, but seeing him approach me, I thought it was strange and found it in the classroom. Do you think his words are wrong?"

"No. It's likely true. I did clean, but a few pieces probably remained."

"Did you clean very meticulously? Since I only found one piece."

"I had to clean meticulously."

Ethan said, meeting Moraiots' eyes.

"Although I don't have deep knowledge of alchemy, I know that alchemists maintain a high level of secrecy. Unlike general magic, if the manufacturing method of alchemy is known, anyone can imitate it, can't they? You must hide the byproducts as much as possible."

Moraiots nodded.

"That's true. Then you can't tell me how you can make this either?"

"I cannot reveal all the secrets of a mage."

"Even if you are suspected of being a black mage if you don't tell me?"

Ethan said to Demi.

Ethan said in a whisper.

"If you swear you will not use what I say for anything other than the investigation, I can tell you."

"I swear on His Majesty's name, I will not use it for anything other than the investigation."

Ethan said.

"I purchased that magic from the Yurmus black market."

At those words, Moraiots' eyes widened slightly for a moment, then he stroked his chin and nodded.

"...Indeed. I see. Do you remember when and from whom you bought it?"

Ethan made up a date and a person approximately. The Yurmus black market tends to be large, and there are many people coming and going from various places. Even for the Empire, it would be impossible to find them. Separately, it was a plausible story that a student who wanted to remain at the magic school bought magic. Ethan even picked up a firework and handed it to Moraiots. It was Demi's suggestion.

<Didn't only war supplies come through?>

<Yes. Rather, precisely because of that, the Imperial Inquisition and Madowon might suspect it's a Terran item. They might have seen something similar before.>

Ethan unnecessarily looked around and said with exaggerated caution.

"Anyway, you must not tell anyone about this matter."

"I will be careful."

"But what is it that you are looking for? It's embarrassing for me to say this, but it's no different from a street magician's trick used to charm passersby."

Moraiots looked at the firework, pondered, and then said.

"Perhaps this came from Terra."

"Terra?"

"It refers to the invaders from another world who attacked the Empire 20 years ago."

"Ah. I know."

Moraiots said.

"Since the invasion incident, His Majesty has been keeping a close watch on Terrans and Terran black mages. Of course, Terrans can no longer use significant power now, so they are fine, but if there were Terran mages, they are considered extremely dangerous."

"More so than the Dark God Oer, the Tentacle God Musa Musa, or the Banished Dragon Rorancherion? I heard the Empire didn't suffer that much damage."

"Because it was a relatively recent event, His Majesty is keeping a close watch."

Ethan thought that the rumors about the Machine God Demi were now somewhat distorted. At least Demi had not yet ordered him to torture others, demanded sacrifices, or told him to burn down villages. Compared to the rumors about Outer Gods, she could be considered quite benign.

<No!>

Moraiots looked at the sword hanging at Ethan's waist.

"Are you learning swordsmanship?"

"Ah, yes."

"That's a good stance. You human mages tend to rely too much on magic. Even though everything ultimately starts and ends with the body. We Mazok also learn basic martial arts and swordsmanship."

"It doesn't have a good reputation at school, though. My older sister would scold me severely if she saw it."

"Your older sister, would that be Arka Wiz Charasen?"

"Yes. She's at the main house during the break."

"I wanted to meet her, that's a shame."

Entering the dormitory building, Ethan said.

"This is my room."

"I see. It seems there are almost no suspicious points regarding you. It's ceremonial, but I'll take a look around the room before leaving."

"Certainly."

Saying that, Ethan reached for the doorknob.

<Wait.>

Moraiots said.

"What's wrong?"

"I got the room confused. It's not here, it's over there."

Ethan headed for the next room. But Moraiots did not follow.

"No, Ethan. Your room is here."

Ethan stopped dead in his tracks.