Chapter 616 - Omniscient First-Person’s Viewpoint

A fierce storm, as if gathering all the winds of the world, swept over the floating city. The wind pressure was so intense it seemed capable of tearing the deck apart. It was only thanks to Shei's celestial presence, which allowed her to exert control over the wind, that we managed to endure—but like a candle before a tempest, even that wouldn't hold for long. Inwardly, I cried out, unable to even scream aloud. A one-way path? What an utterly insane, broken unique magic. Unique magics are inherently irrational and unjust abilities. Yet a unique magic called a one-way path truly lived up to its name—brutal and unilateral. Attacking from our side was impossible, yet attacks from the other side could strike at will? More than that, the fusion of white magic and unique magic was destructively powerful. Even though it merely compressed the air, its power surpassed strategic-level magic and escalated to... war-level magic. A force that by its mere existence could halt or incite a war. Only those who amplify the power of their unique magic with white magic earn the title of ‘sorcerer.’ And though it had slipped my mind amidst this overwhelming and irrational violence, Lankart was also a sorcerer. “Hey, aren’t you putting too much effort into something pointless?” Lankart slotted a packet into his biological terminal, and thick gauntlets manifested with alchemical light, enclosing his hands. It was magical equipment, repurposing state packets into gauntlets. Enchanted circles adorned the pristine white gloves, and gemstones dangled from the knuckles, resembling knuckle dusters. “Set, reach.” Lankart had mastered the ceremonial magic of the state. Yet, while body-mediated ceremonial magic was swift and convenient, it fell short in grade and potency. Higher-tier magic necessitated gemstones and magical circles. Thus, why not cherry-pick the advantages of both? Lankart combined white magic and ceremonial magic to craft his own magical equipment. He folded his fingers—thumb raised, index and middle fingers extended, ring finger half-cocked, and little finger bent at ninety degrees. It was his unique form of white magic, translating finger positions into rune language. Lankart invoked a spell through this gesture. “Eye of the Storm.” What Lankart conjured was a slight low pressure system. But in a world dominated by right-handers, even that transformed into a storm. Winds expelled with ferocious force were drawn into the right-handed world. The vortex, swallowing the winds with horrifying power, directed the torrent skyward. If the Green Tower Lord's unique magic was one-way, Lankart’s was vortex. A force emitted in a straight line was entrapped within his vortex. Despite standing amid a storm that could erode stone to sand, Lankart remained unfazed. “No, it’s a no-go. Our unique magics belong to different realms. You’re one of the few right-handers I acknowledge, but... a right-hander is still a right-hander.” In front of Lankart, any force is deflected. In a right-handed world, the rules of the right hand lose their power. Only a left-hander can shatter that world. I realized anew just how cunning these unique magics are. The same went for the Green Tower Lord. “Lankart... your mindset is always at odds with mine….” “I’m not harboring any feelings towards you. Why not stop being stubborn and step aside? It’s becoming bothersome.” “I cannot do that.” The Green Tower Lord clicked their tongue, folded their umbrella, and slammed it onto the floating city. Thinking it was over, Lankart nonchalantly began to walk away when a magic circle appeared beneath his feet. The magic circle spread throughout the entire floating city. Lankart was astonished at the magic rippling beneath him. “What?” “The role of the Green Tower is defense. Its duty is to protect magic and knowledge from all harms. You have unlawfully trespassed on the floating city, refused rightful judgment, and retaliated, so I, Eliot, as the Green Tower Lord, will execute summary judgment under my authority.” “Hey. That’s unfair! The power of Heaven is…!” Even to Lankart, the floating city’s magic was a threat, changing his expression. Quickly analyzing the magic circle, he attempted to escape before the spell finalized. But he was a step too late. Just before Lankart could escape, the magic circle completed, emanating light as it activated the floating city’s magic. The Green Tower Lord slightly twisted the umbrella planted into the ground and spoke. “Disappear, Investigator.” Heaven trembled, and the floating city’s magic 'launched' Lankart. Even Lankart, who could control his own 'rotation,' couldn’t counter the shift in gravity that expelled him. His body was cast from the floating city faster than anyone could have imagined. In such a ridiculous and anticlimactic exit, I muttered loud enough for everyone to hear. “…Really, what is he doing? Making such a scene, and then leaving so fast!” Deactivating the magic circle, the Green Tower Lord replied. “That foolishness lies in trusting such incompetence and invading unlawfully.” “I wasn’t really counting on him! I just tagged along because he said he’d get us there! Who knew he’d exit in a few minutes!” “…Hmph. Yes, indeed. A fool wouldn’t understand. Perhaps those fools that came merely relying on Lankart feel wronged.” Maybe because I sincerely roasted Lankart, the Green Tower Lord spoke more gently, their demeanor softened. “Regardless of the circumstances, it’s true you fools also violated federal law. I shall exercise the Green Tower Lord's authority to detain you for the time being. Please comply peacefully.” Wait? It’s just detention? Phew, I thought we’d be expelled. That’s not so bad. I was about to head out in relief, but suddenly, Shei erupted in anger. “What? You attack without reason and now propose detention? You think we’ll accept that?!” …Why? Why not just accept it? Wouldn’t it be better to take a break here, especially when we're all worn out? But being the shy and retiring type that I am, I couldn’t interrupt. The Green Tower Lord responded to Shei. “This isn’t a request. It’s an order. You lowly ones must accept it.” “By whose authority?” “By mine.” Without uttering a spell, the Green Tower Lord conjured water with ease. She lightly scattered the water gathered at the tip of her umbrella, activating her unique magic. “Don’t be mistaken. You lowly ones can never demand anything from us, the chosen ones.” Fluid flows because each particle of water is in constant motion. Even if it seems to be still, each particle is, in fact, moving at a significant speed at any given moment. The power of her one-way magic forced all that motion into a single direction. “I doubt you're aware of the mysteries contained within these droplets.” As soon as they were touched by the one-way power, the scattered droplets accelerated in a single direction. The water projectiles formed and shot towards Shei's surroundings. Being far from the line of attack, I barely managed to dodge, but Shei had to fend them off with her celestial weapon. “You!” Swiftly wielding her weapon and leaping forward, Shei reached the Green Tower Lord in an instant. Judging her opponent as an enemy, she swung her blade, enveloped in Qi, without hesitation. However, the one-way unique magic, though somewhat defensive rather than offensive, was effective. The celestial weapon was thwarted by the Green Tower Lord’s barrier. Exhausted from prolonged combat, Shei nearly lost her grip on her blade from the recoil. “Lowly and foolish souls cannot demand anything from the chosen ones. How would an ant comprehend a human perspective? And how on Earth could a human impart their knowledge to an ant?” Impossible to even approach. The Green Tower Lord spoke with an air of arrogance, as if the outcome were expected, not even raising an eyebrow. Shei bit her lip and yelled in frustration. “Damn it…! If only I had my stepping technique, this kind of…!?” Reflexively shouting, Shei suddenly halted. ‘Wait a minute. Stepping technique? What is that? Why did it come to mind all of a sudden?’ Are you having memory lapses due to too many regressions, you brainless twit? How could a stepping technique overcome the one-way unique magic? It just doesn’t work with Qi. ‘This isn’t the time for distractions. Focus on the battle now!’ If you fail to strike a mage, you need to retreat. Shei intended to follow this doctrine. As she pushed off the ground to withdraw, she slipped. In that fleeting moment, Shei instinctively realized something came between her footing. ‘The one-way magic caused my footing to falter…!’ Had she not been so drained, she might have reacted, but Shei lacked the leeway. Slipping on the surface impervious to her Qi, other mages fired spells at her. Ropes imbued with lightning wrapped around her body. “Ugh…!” Though she used Qi to shield herself from the electrifying currents, the ropes, binding together, hindered Shei’s movements. The Green Tower Lord approached Shei, who could hardly move, and mockingly raised her head. “Now, do you understand?” “Yes! I understand! I’ll comply with the Green Tower Lord’s wise decision!” I threw my hands up and dashed in front of the Green Tower Lord. I had intended to stay quiet, but seeing Shei defy more, I knew I had to act. There was no way we could defeat the Green Tower Lord here, and even if we did, we couldn’t take on the entire floating city. Let’s just bow our heads and go along for now. If I play submissive, Shei will likely stay quiet for the time being. “A simple soul capable of reason. Accept your confinement willingly.” “If it’s not too much to ask, could you bind me with a non-electrified rope? I’m quite sensitive to static electricity.” “Of course. Harshness is not our way with humble and obedient ones.” Unique magic reflects the caster’s mindset. Ideology is indeed part of that mindset. The Green Tower Lord’s one-way magic truly lives up to its name. While she may influence others, she refuses to be influenced herself. At times like this, we must adhere to that one-way path. While it may eventually sway, opposing it head-on would only result in direct confrontation. “I can even bind my own hands! Just give me the rope!” “No need to go that far.” Oh, did I overdo it? Well, it’s fine. Sucking up excessively can still work. Such was my survival tactic, navigating this harsh world with my frail body. ‘Planning to get caught? Wouldn’t escaping be better?’ Escape where? It's preferable to stay in the floating city rather than wander outside. I looked at Shei and desperately signaled with my eyes. Seemingly disgruntled, Shei slightly averted her gaze, her face flushed after my continued eye signals. Something seems off…. Regardless, Shei also complied quietly. As the Green Tower Lord confirmed everything, she prepared to order our departure but paused, looking at me with a furrowed brow. ‘…Wait. What did this man do?’ Why now? What is it? ‘I shot water projectiles at that man, did I not? He didn’t enhance his power—how did he respond…?’ Well, I was just lucky. By anticipating movement with careful observation, I could guess the domain of the one-way magic and dodge its trajectory. Plus, I could… slightly nudge it. “…You must be quite skilled in Qi techniques. Let me warn you—follow my directives without resistance. Strong-handed ones are watched as potential threats in the floating city.” “Hmph. It’ll be fine as long as you don’t act high-handedly.” Though puzzled why Shei responded, the Green Tower Lord, recognizing her abilities, didn’t correct her. “Let’s depart. Open the Mage Tower.” It wasn’t the resolution I’d hoped for, yet that’s how we entered the floating city.