Chapter Fourteen: An Impostor or a True Master?

Downs thought he had answered tactfully, but little did he know that he had pleased neither side.

If Ren heard this, he would probably curse bitterly, “You should spread my name! I want to recruit more disciples!”

To the Count of Raman, the curiosity about Downs having a mysterious master was overshadowed by the awe of that master’s methods—after all, what kind of genius can train a fully-fledged mage in just two weeks?

Downs had value, but not immense value. His worth lay in his potential and the mysterious master behind him. Downs’ own strength, in the grand scheme of the kingdom and the human world, was negligible.

A formal mage is merely someone who has stepped into the realm of the extraordinary. In certain systems, this is just a level 1 to 5 ‘core member’.

Levels 6 to 10 are considered high-level, where mages understand numerous advanced spells and can be quite formidable on their own.

Levels 11 to 19 are termed masters, representing the pinnacle of various professions. Incidentally, the legendary liches start at level 11 after turning to death’s embrace.

Levels 20 and above are legendary, beings closest to divinity.

Downs, now a formal mage, would be rated as level 3 in Ren’s system.

Frankly, many stronger individuals could easily defeat him.

However, his case had already been reported to the kingdom’s upper echelons.

In the royal palace, three hundred kilometers away.

King Cervantes XIII was in his prime at forty years old, a respectable age for a king. His gray hair cascaded over his shoulders like a lion’s mane, and his luxurious attire couldn’t conceal his muscular and well-proportioned physique.

His blue eyes, sharp as an eagle’s, scanned the secret letter from Count Raman, then he handed it to his advisor.

“Ganis, what do you think?”

The advisor was a man with unusual brown skin, reddish-brown beard, and long, pointed ears. He had a strong human-like build but was distinguished by those ears.

An elf-human hybrid with a long lifespan!

After reading the letter, Ganis’s face turned slightly odd. He pondered briefly, “Overall, it’s good news.”

“I’d prefer to hear the bad news first,” the king said, fingers intertwined as he leaned back in his chair.

“If there is bad news, it’s that there’s a considerable chance this mysterious mentor is an undead.”

A vein pulsed on King Cervantes’ forehead, appearing like a cross-shaped mark.

“Having lived for two hundred years and witnessed the ‘Day of Magical End,’ I can confidently say that not all magic users went mad or died back then. A small number of spellcasters, unacknowledged by the goddess of magic, survived the backlash of the magic web’s collapse.”

“Liches,” the king spat out the word through gritted teeth.

Ganis continued, “Your Majesty, do you know why spellcasters of old and current clergy need to chant incantations to cast spells?”

The king shook his head, “I’m purely a warrior!”

“Think of incantations as keys; they correspond to specific locks. The magic web established by the goddess of magic allowed most mages to use magic safely and easily. To cast a spell, one only needed to chant the correct incantation and pay the corresponding magical cost to the web.”

“In simpler terms.”

“Imagine, Your Majesty, you want to mount a horse. You just issue a command, your groom brings the horse, and your servants kneel to give you a boost. Your command is the ‘key.'”

The king patiently nodded, signaling his advisor to continue.

“Setting aside why the goddess of magic fell, the current situation is that you have no servants, no groom, and your steed is a wild, unbroken horse. If you want to ride, you must do everything yourself from scratch.”

“Mastering magic without the web is that difficult?”

“At least ten thousand times harder!” Ganis sighed. “First, you must possess enough knowledge and grasp the ‘truths’ recognized by this world, or the fundamental laws of magic. Then, with a perception surpassing almost all mortals, you must harness these extraordinary powers for your use. This essentially redefines the term ‘magic!'”

The king was stunned.

Ganis spread his hands, “This is why countless scholars have tried and failed to revive ‘magic’ over the past century.”

Hearing this, the king’s gaze sharpened. “So, you’re saying it’s quite likely the person is a lich?”

“Uh, not necessarily. It seems the Count of Raman noticed this too and mentioned that the young mage Downs and his master once ate grilled fish together.”

“……”

It is known that liches do not eat.

Liches, mostly former mages, turned to evil for reasons like extending their lives. They crave power and knowledge, unlike zombies, who instinctively hunger for food.

At this, the advisor smiled and stood up, “Your Majesty, let me make the trip. If the person is alive and we can reach some agreement or cooperation, it will be a blessing for the entire kingdom.”

The king nodded in agreement, emphasizing, “Ganis! Take enough men! Plenty of men!”

The king’s words warmed Ganis’s heart. The half-elf knew this was the king’s way of expressing concern for his safety.

Two days later, Downs was bewildered as he faced Ganis and his powerful-looking entourage.

The half-elf displayed impeccable grace and respect.

“Master Downs Gillard! His Majesty wishes to appoint you as the royal mage, with the status and treatment equivalent to a hereditary viscount. You may choose any place within the royal domain or the Raman territory as your fief.”

“Isn’t this too much? I merely helped repel the monster invasion.”

“Frankly, your current power does not merit such honors. But as the first formal mage in a century, it is quite fitting. Additionally, His Majesty sent me to meet your teacher.”

Downs’ heart tightened. “My, my master, well…”

The half-elf remained calm and gentle, guiding the young man kindly, “Is there some taboo? Or does your teacher refuse to meet outsiders? Perhaps he forbids you from revealing his name?”

In that moment, countless thoughts flashed through Ganis’s mind. If the boy found an excuse to refuse, he would need to prepare for the possibility of confronting a lich.

All kinds of preparations.

At this moment, after holding back for half a year, Downs suddenly said, “No! My master has high standards. He said, ‘Once, a king offered all his treasures, but I did not accept the king’s children as disciples because they lacked talent.’ I can take you there, but please, do not anger my master.”

Ganis: “……”

After leaving the guesthouse, the burly man beside Ganis leaned in, “Sir, what do you think?”

“Master Famit, this time it’s hard to say!” The half-elf sighed. “Either this master is a grand impostor, or… he is the legendary archmage humanity dreams of!”

End of Chapter Fourteen