Chapter 619 - Omniscient First-Person’s Viewpoint

Regarding black magic, even the mages were adamant. It didn't matter if I requested a lawyer or whatever Shei said; it wasn't going to work. "Oh, right. Ritual magic is a form of black magic that uses one's body as a sacrifice. I totally forgot." "I forgot too! I mean, it's the only kind of magic I was taught!" I never wanted to be a black mage! If you think about it, it's the nation's fault for teaching us black magic under the guise of ritual magic! "Just wait a bit. If we find Elisha and explain the situation, you should be able to get out. Rest until then." Having finished her words from beyond the bars, Shei left me. Alone in the cell, I cried out in despair. "Let me out! Even fools wouldn't accept this!" "This is the end of the visit. Follow me, foolish one." The mage from the security bureau roughly pulled me along. Tied up in ropes, I couldn't resist his strength and was dragged away. YW9peUx5cktZYXhyU2hzY1VsMkQ0Uk9qK1RPd0IyUURFQkEwT3ZYbFo0QjVCQXRvRGhNaXFhUFJFcWJNcGdVUA The mage from the security bureau dragged me into a special room and threw me in with a grumble. "Haah. Lancart again? Last time, you brought a fool using Qi. And now a black mage? What does he think this floating fortress is?" "What's wrong with black magic! If it's the only magic I know, of course I'm going to use it! How is that a crime?" "A crime? That sounds like the foolishness of a fool. That's why you learned dangerous and meaningless magic like black magic." If there’s one thing somewhat admirable about the "chosen ones" from the floating fortress, it's that they never skip explanations. The "chosen" mage spoke down to me as if bestowing wisdom upon a fool. "To use your body as a sacrifice, you must first make it a 'catalyst.' You need to form a path for the mana to flow to create phenomena. In short, it means every black mage is a homunculus who’s altered their body." "Body modification? That's some ridiculous accusation...!" Ah, right. Biometrics. Isn't there a procedure for nationals to get a biometric implant on their wrists at a certain age? Damn it, nation. What have you done to me? "A black mage who uses their body as a catalyst is like a walking explosive. How can we know what magic they'll use their body for? If they sneak in and cast evil magic, risking their life, even a mage can't guarantee their safety." "I have no intention of doing such things! Besides, my mana is so minuscule that even black magic only lets me cast everyday-level spells!" "How can I believe that? We can’t know unless we dissect your body." If I could cast tactical-level spells with my body, I would’ve done it already! I don't even have that ability! "Furthermore, if the magic acquired through breaking taboos only reaches the tactical level, what foolishness isn't foolishness then?" There are countless magics in the world, and many ways to categorize them, but the most widely known classification is as follows: Phenomenon level: Magic that replicates simple phenomena. Everyday level: Magic processed to be useful in daily life. Combat level: Magic at a level capable of harming opponents in battle. Tactical level: Magic with the power to confront multiple humans or tactical weaponry. Strategic level: Magic that can rival military doctrine alone. And war level: Grand magic that can either incite or suppress a war, depending on its use. The nation simply assigned numbers, categorizing from level 0 to level 5, but it’s more accurately a renaming of existing concepts. Even among these, only one mage, a marshal, reached level 5, and even that achievement seems slightly exaggerated, as it practically just inflated the scale of magic. Yet, even the strongest mage of the nation pales in the magic federation. "White magic is more refined, more systematic, and superior. Every mage in the floating fortress can wield magic at the strategic level. Unlike black magic, it doesn’t require sacrificing one's life." While black mages use their body as a catalyst, the human body isn’t a particularly valuable catalyst. It's convenient and has a slightly faster casting speed. Thus, black mages can never reach great heights. Even the pride of the nation's magic officers hits a limit at tactical-level magic. But that's from the perspective of the privileged of the magic federation. In a nation where most are talentless and ordinary, even that limited power is a sweet fruit. "It was something forcefully instilled by the nation! If I had the chance, I would’ve learned white magic!" "That's why you're still alive. Because you didn’t willingly turn to black magic. Yet, the fact remains: you are a black mage." The mage from the security bureau, looking at me with a mix of contempt and pity, said while locking the bars with magic, "The fate of a black mage comes down to two choices: burn your body for a single spell and die, or find someone else to serve as the sacrifice." Delivering this somber warning, the mage tapped the bars. Magic swirled around the bars, lifting my body into the air. No matter how I struggled, I could grasp nothing beneath my feet or with my hands. A gravity barrier? With this, I can’t touch the floor or the ceiling. Even trying to swim through the air, some force continually pulled me toward the center of the prison. It felt like being caught in the middle of a sinkhole. "Wait a minute! What’s going to happen to me?" Without even glancing at me, the security mage spoke. "After an interrogation by an investigator, you'll be exiled from the fortress. Reflect on your foolishness while sensing mysteries beyond the reach of your magic." Exile? ...I'm okay with that. The mage left after those words. Left alone in the special management room, I thoroughly assessed my condition. Okay. As planned, I've been locked up in solitary confinement. The anti-magic barrier seals magic, but it doesn't affect me at all. I have no magic in this body to begin with. The problem lies with this gravity barrier. It’s simple yet surprisingly tricky. Floating in the air, I can’t even use my Qi skills. If there were something to hold onto, it’d be a different story, but as I’m suspended with nothing to grasp, movement is impossible. I've got heavy handcuffs on and nothing in sight to grab. How on earth am I supposed to get out of this prison? I guess this is expected from the floating fortress of the magic federation. "Alright then." First, I need to remove these handcuffs. I have cards in my pocket, but being unable to retrieve them because my hands are bound would make me unworthy of calling myself a magician. I nudged the clip tied to my waist and leg, and a card popped out. I subtly moved it to wedge between the handcuffs. These cuffs are infused with mana, enveloping my entire hand. If I force them open, the magic will activate, crushing my hands. I could take them apart meticulously, but that’s the kind of trivial technique suitable for my weaker past self. "Elixir." Using the pact with the demon of alchemy, I transmuted the entire pair of handcuffs. The heavy cuffs transformed into cards of matching mass and scattered. Though the magic inscribed on the cuffs crushed my hands, they regenerated as if nothing had happened. "Ah." Freed from the cuffs, I checked my surroundings. There didn’t seem to be any surveillance. In front of me stood solid bars, but the gravity barrier preventing me from reaching them was the real issue. I couldn't block it or escape from it. The more I reached out, the heavier my arms became. I threw a card; it sliced through the air but stopped as if caught in an invisible net and then returned. Dodging my head, the card flew to the opposite side, repeating the same motion. "Hmm, I see how it's structured." Unable to step on the ground, grip anything, or regain a tossed item almost like being trapped inside an invisible bottle. But... if it comes back. "Thunder Tether." I tied the sizable handcuffs with the Thunder Tether and whirled them around. Once they reached maximum spin, I forcefully hurled the cuffs outward. Like the card before, the cuffs advanced but gradually slowed down. Once the cuffs completely halted, I yanked them back with force. The swiftly returned cuffs surged past me to the opposite side this time. "Preserving energy means that like swinging back and forth, I can eventually escape." Perfectly timed, I pulled on the cuffs. With each pull, the cuffs reached further out. Like a swing, the oscillations grew larger until the cuffs eventually fell without returning. They’d exited the gravity barrier. "Phew. About that range? Then." From the dropped cuffs, the nine of spades revealed its light. Using the card as a medium, I summoned another demon's power. "Tree of Origin." Roots sprouted from the pattern on the nine of spades, flourishing and firmly rooting themselves throughout the cell. "Hup!" Using the rooted cuffs as an anchor, I pulled with all my might. Continuing like this should allow me to escape the gravity barrier.... However, mid-pull, I realized my miscalculation. "Oh right! I'm weak!" There’s no way my weak strength could break free of the gravity barrier! I should have pushed my full body out with the swing method! What now? Change plans even now? "Ugh. Something feels off.... Oh?" Meanwhile, the gravitational pull was changing direction. I had escaped the gravity barrier. Crashing to the floor, I mumbled as I rubbed my throbbing head. "What? That was doable?" Turns out, it wasn’t as bad as I thought. Even with my weak strength, I managed to break free. It feels more like exercise equipment than a barrier. ...No. That can't be right. Once out of the gravity barrier, escaping is straightforward. Cut through the bars with a card, pick the lock, and you’re out of the security bureau. "Gaia Ego." The structure of the floating fortress is mostly made of meteoric material. Though slightly different, meteors are still rocks. Using earth magic, I burrowed a hole and emerged not too far from the security bureau. "Phew. Escape successful." The floating fortress's prison was challenging but not enough to contain me. Feeling a sense of pride, I dusted off my face and contemplated my next move. "Now then, what’s next...?" Well, there's no need to think about it. What else would I do in a foreign place like the floating fortress? Smirking coldly, I whispered to myself. "I'm going to meet that bastard, Lancart."