11. The Rebel
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High above the heavens.
Within a floating city drifting through the clouds, the bright red lettering on the public notice board had drawn quite a crowd.
“His Majesty Erian, Supreme Archmage of Eldoren, is recruiting mages to travel to the lower realm and teach there. Any formally recognized mage proficient in first-circle spells is eligible to apply…”
“Those who participate in teaching will receive the standard remuneration, along with the opportunity to study several secret spells personally developed by His Majesty Erian, the Arcane Emperor, none of which have ever been made public!”
The announcement left many mages deeply impressed.
“His Majesty’s grand undertaking seems to be the real thing.”
“To entice the mages of the floating city to teach in the lower realm, he is even offering his own secret spells as payment!”
“No wonder so many mages have been scrambling to volunteer lately.”
“Personally, I have no desire to teach those wretched commoners. Let those who do not mind go in my stead. Besides, were not quite a few mages born among the common people of the lower realm?”
“By revealing his private spells so casually, does His Majesty Erian not fear that his position as Supreme Archmage may be threatened?”
“Quiet. Lower your voice. What are you saying?”
To the mage nobility of the floating city, the right to learn spells was undoubtedly a far more enviable reward than gold coins.
In this age, the mage aristocracy understood all too well that magic was the source of their status. They not only monopolized magic among the nobles of the lower realm; among themselves, they also guarded the spells they possessed as though they were priceless treasures.
Newly developed spells were generally kept for personal use, or permitted only to members of one’s own family.
A few years earlier, a sixth-circle high mage had secretly learned a spell developed by Helen, the head of the Transmutation School. She had hunted him all the way into the lower realm and transformed him into a toad.
Standing atop the palace, Erian gazed down at the restless crowds below, a faint smile in his heart.
For the mages of this age—
“Ah, the mages of this era are still far too protective of their meager collection of spells. Sharing even a little magic is enough to make them treat it as a priceless treasure…”
In theory, any spell he casually brought over from the future would be regarded by the mages of this age as “a secret spell newly developed by His Majesty Erian.”
Using spells as payment would make other mages wince.
For Erian, it was pure profit without cost.
At this thought, Erian could not help reflecting:
“Knowledge is not diminished by being shared. In theory, the more the mages share knowledge with one another, the stronger the entire empire will become.”
“When the opportunity arises, I must break Eldoren’s mages of their current habit of hoarding knowledge so jealously.”
“Perhaps I can introduce the patent system of the future, along with the Rule of Attribution for Spell Inventions. That would balance the personal interests of those who explore magic with the needs of the collective…”
At that moment, a servant’s voice came from behind him.
“Your Majesty, General Sol requests an audience!”
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…
Within a ward that blocked prophecy and divination.
“General Sol, are you saying that someone is plotting a rebellion? That they intend to assassinate me?”
Erian looked across the desk at the tall, powerfully built man with deep-set features.
Sol.
One of the chief members of the Imperial Council, and an eighth-circle high mage.
More importantly, Sol was also Eldoren’s Mage-General, commander of several hundred elite battle mages and the true holder of the empire’s military power.
According to the memories of the body’s former owner, this general, who held the bulk of Eldoren’s military strength in his hands, was unquestionably one of Erian’s most loyal followers.
The reforms of recent months had been implemented with such overwhelming force largely because General Sol, who controlled Eldoren’s military authority, belonged to Erian.
“Precisely. My personal guards have uncovered some information. They say that one or more chief mages within the Imperial Council are plotting a rebellion.”
“Of course, it is also possible that the information was fabricated by someone with ulterior motives.”
Erian shrugged and said meaningfully, “That is the way of reformers. When acting in the long-term interests of the nation, one must always face certain immediate troubles.”
General Sol warned him again.
“Your Majesty, although I do not know why you have permitted those surface commoners to learn magic, I remain utterly loyal to you. I recognize both your identity and your wisdom as Supreme Archmage.”
“For the next six months, please do not travel alone or leave the protection of your guard mages.”
“Though Your Majesty is a Supreme Archmage, if two or three chiefs truly join forces—or if the chief leading the rebellion brings several high mages as reinforcements—”
“Even someone as powerful as Your Majesty would be in extraordinary danger while acting alone.”
Erian nodded lightly.
“I will be careful.”
Careful to leave them an opportunity to assassinate him.
“By the way, Your Majesty Erian,” Sol continued, “is it necessary to strike first and arrest Gutt, the chief of the Evocation School? His suspicion is the greatest. There is no evidence at present, of course…”
“No need.”
Erian waved his hand with complete composure.
His Majesty truly was fearless… Sol was somewhat helpless.
Just then, the mirror on the wall suddenly burst into a deep-blue glow. Ripples spread across its surface, and the blurred image of a mage emerged within it.
It was one of Sol’s subordinates, a commander among Eldoren’s battle mages.
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“Your Majesty, we have just received a report. Nearly two hundred armed orcs are moving toward an area inhabited by humans…”
Orcs raiding villages?
Erian was not surprised.
If he wished to break down the barrier between the surface and the cities in the sky, and ensure that magical education could spread throughout the world below, there was one thing that had to be done—
The nonhuman races that constantly harassed human villages within Eldoren had to be eradicated.
“Very well. I understand.”
Erian replied calmly, then turned to Sol.
“General Sol, we shall travel to the lower realm together shortly.”
“I shall obey Your Majesty’s will.”
Sol pressed one hand to his chest.
As he watched His Majesty rise with a sweep of his robe, a deeper unease stirred within him.
“His Majesty Erian insists on personally handling everything and travels so frequently. Sooner or later, he will give his assassins an opportunity…”
…
Within a luxurious mansion in the floating city, three chief mages were meeting in secret.
“Lord Kade, Chief of the Abjuration School, are you certain that the spell you have newly developed can specifically suppress Erian’s favored necromantic magic without affecting us?”
Gutt, chief of the Evocation School, sharp-eyed, handsome, and cold, and Helen, the beautiful golden-haired chief of the Transmutation School, both looked toward the bald man seated opposite them.
“Of course.”
The bald man spread his arms, allowing a translucent, invisible barrier to expand around them.
“Within my Suppression Field, I can selectively suppress the spells of a particular school. This spell is nearly useless against dragons and giants, but it is exceptionally effective against Erian!”
“Erian is a master specializing in necromancy, while our strengths lie in other schools. In other words, this barrier will affect only him, and only in one direction!”
Gutt nodded at this, clenching his fists.
“Excellent!”
“Just imagine it. Erian faces our combined assault, only to discover that he cannot use the necromantic magic in which he excels. He will be forced to rely on unfamiliar spells from other schools while enduring our attacks.”
“Erian must pay the price for his foolish actions!”
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