Chapter 279 – Registration and Request (One)

Gustak was a heavy smoker.

Throughout his life, he had collected and tried many kinds of tobacco, and the mana cigarettes he had recently settled on provided a deep sense of euphoria and calm that greatly satisfied him.

He had experimented to see if the performance varied depending on the purity of the mana infused, but there was no significant difference.

Whether it was atmospheric mana.

Or mana contained in a Ring.

Although Gustak was unaware of this fact, in either case, it was mana that had not regained its primeval light.

But right now.

The mana from the two gems was different.

Primeval mana, holding a brilliant light, was sucked into Gustak’s body through the metal cigarette.

Whoosh!

The two lights of mana circulated through his body, awakening the pure emotions of his childhood that he had forgotten and lived without.

The yellow light evoked feelings of excitement and trembling, while the green light evoked feelings of curiosity and connection.

“……!”

Gustak’s pupils dilated.

His hands and feet began to tremble.

Then, before he knew it.

Drip.

Tears flowed.

“What am I…?”

His flustered hand covered his face.

But he couldn’t stop the tears seeping through his fingers.

Emotions suppressed for a long time were erupting uncontrollably.

And finally.

When the two lights of mana circulating through his body gradually faded and vanished.

“Ah….”

Gustak let out a sigh.

It contained clear regret.

Forgetting even the embarrassing fact that he had shed tears in front of a guest, he asked in an urgent voice.

“H-how did you do that just now? Is your mana special?”

“……”

Ray was also unfamiliar with the situation.

He knew that due to the characteristic of light mana growing brighter when mixed, no Black Smoke would occur, but he hadn’t known it would evoke such intense emotions in the target.

‘It seems an effect similar to directly injecting atmospheric mana into a Vessel occurred.’

Ray recalled artificial emotions.

The difference was that the emotions that just occurred didn’t seem to have damaged Gustak’s Vessel at all.

It seemed it was because the purity of the emotions was extremely high.

“Why, why aren’t you saying anything? If it’s okay, could you infuse the mana one more time?”

At least, Gustak’s high-handed attitude had significantly softened, and it seemed Ray could gain the upper hand in the conversation.

“Do you now intend to listen to what I have to say seriously?”

“That mana, one more time… You mean the talk about the School? You said you’d demonstrate magic. I can’t promise to pass you unconditionally, but I’ll try to loosen the standards as much as possible. Let’s finish quickly and return to talking about your mana.”

“That’s not necessary. It’s enough if you don’t nitpick unreasonably.”

“What kind of amazing magic could…”

Gustak’s words couldn’t continue.

Because on the table, a Blue Flame emitting cold air was already flickering.

“T-this is…?”

It was a shock great enough to make all thoughts about Ray’s mana evaporate without a trace.

He examined the magic with eyes soaked in shock, but couldn’t find any trace of trickery.

“Good heavens, what in the world… Combining opposing elements is possible? This is absurd… Could it be that this is also possible because your mana is special?”

“No. I used ordinary mana for this magic. Only the way of handling the mana was special.”

Imagination.

Recalling the word Ray had mentioned, Gustak could finally realize.

「A precious person will be going, so it would be good to treat them well. You might get a chance for life itself to change.」

The words spoken by the Ristoa School’s School Master were sincere and contained no exaggeration.

“…Who are you?”

“A person seeking the Rainbow.”

“The Rainbow… That thing which appears countless times in people’s stories, but whose reality no one has confirmed?”

“Correct.”

Gustak wore a dazed expression for a long while.

After Ray extinguished the Blue Flame, he spoke.

“Anyway, I think it’s sufficient for establishing a new School.”

“It is sufficient. If a theory like this, Imagination, isn’t enough to form the foundation of a School, then no other Mage Tower would have the right to call itself a School.”

The power to combine elements in a form that transcends the limits of laws.

If the theory of Imagination continued to be developed, it was impossible to even predict what forms of magic would appear in the future.

Swish!

As Gustak gestured, bundles of documents and pens flew over and began circling around him.

“Originally, the review takes several days. But since I’ve witnessed a miracle with my own eyes, I’ll grant approval right away.”

“The sooner, the better.”

“First, I’ll register you as the School Master of the School.”

“Yes.”

“If there are other members currently belonging to the School, tell me.”

“There aren’t any.”

“Starting completely from nothing.”

Following the questions and answers, the pens moved on their own, filling in the blanks on the documents.

“Next is the motivation for establishing the School. This isn’t a very important item, so you can just say it roughly─.”

“To build the highest Mage Tower and impose an experiment ban throughout the entire city.”

The pens that had been scratching stopped short.

Gustak asked quietly.

“Do you know what meaning those words hold?”

“I know.”

Gustak, who had been staring intently at Ray, soon burst into loud laughter and said.

“Right, the reason all Mage Towers are engrossed in experiments is to seek magical truth. If that appears, there would be no more need for experiments.”

The pens began moving again, and the questions continued.

“The thesis establishing the theory?”

“There isn’t one.”

“Originally, it’s mandatory, but I can pass it using the Association President’s discretion. However, you must keep in mind that the first impression other Schools have of your School may not be good.”

It was a principle that a new School’s thesis was delivered to all other Schools along with the news of its establishment.

Since the thesis is a kind of introduction to the School, without it, the likelihood of receiving unfavorable views is very high.

“It doesn’t matter. It’s not a concept that can be explained with a long theory anyway.”

“Refreshing. I like that. Anyway, there’s an opportunity to demonstrate the theory during the regular academic conference, so you can change their impression then. No problem.”

Swish! Swish!

The completed documents flew onto the desk, leaving only one sheet.

“Finally, what is the name of the School?”

Ray recalled the knowledge of the Ancient Era obtained from within Blue’s memories.

And without hesitation, he answered.

“Imaginus.”

It meant Imagination in the ancient language.

The Association office after Ray left.

Gustak leaned back deeply in his chair and looked up at the ceiling.

“Whew──.”

The cigarette in his mouth swirled with the yellow and green light mana Ray had charged and left.

Somehow, it felt like his mind was clearing.

Vitality welled up, and his heart became peaceful.

Also, emotions he had forgotten and lived without were revived, making him reflect on his past life.

‘What dreams did I have when I was young?’

At the very least, he probably hadn’t wanted to become this greedy and irritable human.

“Kheuk kheuk…”

Gustak, who had been laughing, tried drawing a picture in his mind as Ray had explained.

The mana didn’t move at all.

No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t materialize magic through imagination.

He thought.

Perhaps because life was fierce and busy, using that as an excuse, he might have abandoned something important from his childhood and run forward.

“Whew──.”

Although regrettable, there was one thing he could clearly imagine.

The sight of those arrogant humans with their eyes wide open during the regular academic conference.

It was quite amusing.

Imagining that scene.

Ray, having left the Association, boarded a Train again to find the Information Broker.

The destination was Sector 20.

The distance wasn’t very far.

Clack, clack──

Looking down at the streets from the Train window as it slowly gained speed.

The figures of pedestrians using magic.

He inferred conversations from their lip movements.

─It’s the dancing flame published by the Plea School this time, isn’t it amazing?

─Anyway, the freezing spear was a bit outdated.

All magic Inside the Wall, the moment it is announced to the world, is registered in the Association’s Magic Encyclopedia, it was said.

Depending on the freedom of the respective School, the usage method is made public, concealed, or released for sale in magic shops.

Whichever the case, there was a commonality.

That is, the magic is given a name and exists with a thorough combination formula like a cooking recipe.

In Ray’s eyes, it seemed like magic was being fossilized into a fixed framework.

‘In the Ancient Era, everyone used magic through imagination.’

Through what process did imagination degenerate in people?

And what are the conditions for the dormant imagination to reawaken?

For now, the people with awakened imagination discovered so far totaled three.

‘Myself and Veronica.’

And Vicious, the Executive of Mercread fought at Rael Row.

What is the commonality?

Lost in thought for a moment, he exerted his flashing deductive power, but the clues arrogantly didn’t even reveal their tails.

However, what was clear was the fact that Imaginus would very likely remain a one-person School for the time being.

Clack, clack, pshhh──

Sector 20, arrived while pondering.

Leaving the station, Ray headed straight to find the Information Broker with the business card in hand.

‘A bar?’

The place that appeared before his eyes was a high-end tavern with multiple floors.

Whirr─

Opening the door and entering, an interior with soft lighting and flowing music appeared.

Guests who glanced this way and then turned their eyes back to their tasks.

Ray walked over and sat at the bar, addressing the bartender wiping a glass.

“I came looking for Ms. Nila.”

“There is no employee or guest named Nila. And our bar prohibits minors from entering.”

“I’m an adult.”

“How old are you?”

“32 years old.”

After a brief staring contest with the bartender, Ray took out the business card and pushed it forward.

“I came with an introduction from the Ristoa School’s School Master.”

“Hmm.”

The bartender picked up the card and examined it, then called an employee and said.

“Please guide him.”

“Understood. This way, please.”

Following the employee, he boarded the elevator and went up. The place that appeared was a small office.

Sitting and waiting at the table, before long, the side door opened and a woman with a captivating impression appeared.

“Hmm, you came with an introduction from Mr. Rayker?”

The woman sat opposite Ray, crossing her legs.

Two large-built men standing behind with their hands clasped behind their backs could be seen.

Including the woman, all were 4th Circle.

Ray removed his hood and spoke.

“You are Nila?”

“My, you’re handsome. When you grow up, you’ll make girls cry quite a bit. Yes. I’m Nila, running Nila Information Broker.”

Nila said with a sly smile.

“But Mr. Rayker isn’t the personality to introduce anyone, that stubborn, distrustful old man. Kid, if you picked up the card somewhere and are using the name, something unpleasant will happen.”

“There should be a way to contact the Ristoa School and verify.”

Nila stared intently at Ray.

Then, leaning her body back which had been tilted forward, she said.

“Well, fine. Your eyes aren’t lying. So, what information did you come here seeking?”

“Investigations on specific organizations.”

Mercread and the Indigo Dawn Society.

After listening to Ray’s explanation, Nila crossed her arms and said.

“First, those are keywords not in our database. But I’ll look into it. Originally, a retainer is needed, but I’ll do it for free. I owe a debt to Mr. Rayker.”

“And one more thing.”

Ray intended to request an investigation regarding the Rainbow Shards.

The red shard was with the Doctor.

The blue shard was with Blue.

And the yellow, green, and indigo shards were currently in his possession.

But the whereabouts of the orange and purple shards were unclear.

“Hmm, the request is fine, but I can’t do the second one for free. We are the city’s top Information Broker, so our labor is quite expensive. Can you handle it? Our handsome young gentleman doesn’t look like he has much money.”

“……”

Ray put his hand into his pocket.

He infused mana into the White Card connected to Akrassium and envisioned the object to summon.

Soon, a thick bundle of banknotes was in his hand.

Overflowing with money.

All the world’s money deposited into Ignis’s Cube was stored in Akrassium.

Ray placed the bundle of bills on the table.

Thump!

“Oh, not lacking?”

Thump!

“Even that amount is insufficient…”

Thump!

“Eh, eh…?”

Thump! Thump! Thump!

Nila could only stare with a dumbfounded face at the mountain of money piled up in an instant.

Thump!

Ray placed the last bundle on top and said.

“I don’t think this amount will be insufficient.”