Chapter 632 - Omniscient First-Person’s Viewpoint

It wasn't with a lethal intent that I struck. Lankart had no desire to kill me, and I didn't have a need to kill Lankart. My skewer was merely a means to reach him. However, without giving my all, I couldn't reach him. No, even if I did give my all, I still couldn't reach him. The world of the right-handed governs even the flow of magic. My cards, being intricately designed, could transform into skewers with just a trickle of magic. Yet, in this right-handed world, even that slight magic gets interfered with. The skewer, which should've been straight, was bent to the right, merely scratching Lankart's cheek instead of piercing through it. The blood droplets spewed in a hiss, getting swept and dispersed by the right-handed world. 'Interpreted? By a conceptual being?' That single opportunity ended there. Reacting to the pain felt from his cheek, Lankart instinctively raised his arm. 'Right hander.' The right-handed world centers around Lankart's body. It's the most capricious and impulsive nucleus of a storm, wielded with the intent to target me. In the right-handed world, there's only a rightward rotation centered on Lankart. As such, any movement or magic stemming from Lankart is amplified by this rightward flow. In contrast, any movement approaching from outside Lankart inevitably possesses a leftward flow, which ultimately gets cancelled out before reaching him. While the Green Tower Lord's unique magic is conceptually one-way, Lankart's unique magic results in one-directional outcomes. The storms, hundreds in counts, centered around his fist, deformed significantly and brushed past me, enveloping my body. Just before the storm overtook me, I lifted my feet off the ground and curled my body. The stolen unique magic was meaningless. The disheveled storm compressed rapidly between me and Lankart, then in an instant, released me, sending me flying. I spun, my back hitting the ground hard. Grinding my teeth against the shock penetrating my entire body, I tried not to succumb to dizziness, but my body staggered. 'To float mid-air, not counter the flow, and neutralize the right rotation by spinning yourself? That’s not all. He even leaped on the same trajectory as the core of my right-handed world, my right fist. He completely understands my power!' Whenever I fight Lankart, the result is always the same. Even with stolen unique magic, the disparity in power is so vast. If Lankart were to sprinkle even a touch of white magic, it would be impossible for me to resist. Engaging sincerely only results in loss. But right now, fighting is necessary. It's what Lankart desires after all! 'The solver has the advantage over the one posing the problem. With just one hint, you can untangle any woven thread, no matter how complex. But why? Hughie interpreted me, so why can't I interpret Hughie yet?' “Is the test over? Or is it for real? Just say it quickly so I can decide on my stance.” By the time I got back on my feet to glare at Lankart, he adjusted his thoughts, having felt the impact. 'King of Humans? Impossible...! A conceptual being is the right-handed world itself! They can't be left-handed!' “… Oh, sorry. Hughie. I seem to have been mistaken for a moment.” Lankart dispelled his unique magic, and the storm freed from him scattered into fragments. Wizards screamed, casting wind spells against the storm that suddenly appeared in the Floating Fortress, but Lankart ignored them and approached me. “There's no way. Yes. It's impossible that the one who defeated me would be interpreted.” “Stop it. I'm telling you, it's true.” “The King of Humans is that woman. It's my mistake to have hastily assumed you to be the King of Humans based on that statement.” If I think about it, 'Elder Sister' is closer to the King of Humans than I am. But I am the King of Humans too! Well, that's not what matters. To Lankart, even this was merely a means. I growled. “Mistake? You did it deliberately, you bastard.” Lankart flinched and carefully watched my reaction. I aimed my skewer at him, glaring with anger. “You just dropped me in the right-handed world as soon as you found a chance? Why? Couldn't test me with exams or knowledge, so now you're testing my crisis response ability? Has the meta changed a bit?” "Hughie, calm down. It wasn't exactly like that." “Why would I calm down? A so-called friend is acting as an examiner, trying to measure each of my capabilities. Didn't you say the same about the military? Getting upset at the thought of someone less intelligent evaluating you. Do you think you're superior to me?” “Not at all. I guess I've gotten a bit influenced by these self-proclaimed chosen ones here in the Floating Fortress, forgetting your nature...” Oh, now he's blaming the environment. I lamented over my problematic friend. Why does he do this? It's simple. He can't acknowledge his defeat unless he periodically updates his sense of superiority. To elevate the one who made him lose, he deliberately tests. It's akin to lovers frequently testing each other to confirm their love. If only he were a woman, it might have been endearing. But with a dark-skinned guy pulling this, it's just unbearable. “I took your words about being the King of Humans at face value. Anyway, should we set aside these minor issues for later?” Trying to brush off as if it's not his problem. Living so leisurely. “Regardless, the King of Humans has appeared. Do we still stick to our plan?” No. If he were a woman, he'd be a far more troublesome being than now. Thanks for staying a friend, you rascal. I ran a hand over my face and spoke. “It has changed a bit. I've decided to take the Dragon Gate test.” “Dragon Gate test? It's nothing special, yet you're going to do it?” “I have to face the Demon King. For that, I'm receiving guidance from the Blue Tower Lord.” Lankart tilted his head, questioning. “At that woman's level, there's nothing to teach you.” “There are forms and regulations unique to the Floating Fortress. I need to learn too. I'm not as familiar with white magic.” “She might know white magic, but you don't need her to understand it. I could teach you better.” “Just take care of your own business.” With Avant-Garde and the Blue Tower Lord around, there's no merit in learning from you. “It would be much better to learn at the Crystal Tower to build connections. What has Elder Sister been up to?” “She’s been gathering people.” Gathering people? It's more likely that people are gathering around her naturally. Elder Sister isn’t one to personally summon people, nor does she need to. However, in the Great Forest, there aren't any proper nations, and it's filled with tribes that long for a united kingdom. To them, Elder Sister appears as the sole beacon of hope, a figure worthy of their loyalty and reverence. “I wonder what plans she has.” “Why ask such a thing? As the King of Humans, she is a conceptual existence. Not merely right-handed, but the embodiment of the right itself. Her actions are no different from those of the stereotypical beast kings.” “On the contrary, I wonder what humanity plans to make of Elder Sister.” My words seemed to provide Lankart with a thought-provoking topic, and he appeared deeply engaged in contemplation, likely to chew on it for days. Running my fingers through my hair disheveled from the chaos, I said: “Clean up your own mess. I already have a mountain of things to do. I don’t wish to be further inconvenienced by the chaos you’ve caused.” “Of course, Hughie. I won’t trouble you at all.” Lankart nodded repeatedly, then amplified his voice magically and yelled at the witnesses, “You heard him? Fix this. Make sure no one finds out.” This bastard. That approach only spreads it more. *** There was no real need for Lankart to resort to threats. A matter far more significant than the common tale of the mad mage Lankart unleashed his unique magic had arisen. The King of Humans. News about the representative of all humans shook the Floating Fortress to its core. Who is this King of Humans? What abilities do they possess? Can they use magic? If they can learn magic, to what extent could they master it? A Tower Lord? The Demon King? No way. The Floating Fortress might not be small, but its insularity makes news travel fast. Within just a day, talks of the King of Humans had spread across the entire fortress, engulfing towers and streets alike. King of Humans. King of Humans. King of Humans. A wizard walking the street, sitting at a table, surrounded by avatars made of light with a serious expression, seeking counsel from a more adept teacher at the magic tower. While there might not be an endless supply of arrows to shoot, there certainly is endless gum to chew over. The King of Humans became a captivating topic among wizards, and ‘Elder Sister' was a true monarch for humanity in this aspect as well. “I need to write a thesis on the King of Humans! This will be the theme for the next symposium!” Even the Crystal Tower, known for its steadfast and robust scholarly nature, couldn't escape this atmosphere. Dozens of wizards halted their ongoing research to gather in groups, seeking materials about the King of Humans. It was hardly an environment conducive to teaching anything. The Blue Tower Lord, covering the grimoire, gazed at me and inquired. “Come to think of it, did you come from the Tree of Origin?” “Yes. Didn't Shei explain it to you?” “She did. However, if there had been even a hint about the King of Humans in that explanation, I wouldn't be as surprised as I am now.” So Shei didn’t mention the King of Humans either. She does possess some discernment... or rather, no. I did see Elder Sister, but Shei didn't witness her awakening. She knows she'd revive someday and that the time was near, but she doesn't realize Elder Sister has already opened her eyes and stretched. Likely, she didn't feel the necessity to mention something she's not well-versed in. “What I encountered was merely an ancient druid nurturing a tree in hopes of resurrecting the King of Humans. I was confined there with Shei, but we're unaware of the actual revival.” The Blue Tower Lord squinted slightly and questioned, "Really?" ‘An ancient druid detained you without reason, and coincidentally, the King of Humans emerges in the world…? Telling a lie anyone could see through to me is slightly offensive.’ Smart indeed. I might need to reveal a little more. “We were sacrifices intended for resurrecting the King of Humans. On our way to the United Kingdom, we were captured by Nevada. Facing certain death, we set ablaze the Tree of Origin to escape successfully. After that, Lankart rescued us.” “And just so happens, you’re a friend of Lankart's. Isn’t the world small?” “That was a genuine coincidence. I didn’t specifically call for Lankart, and this place is unfamiliar to me too. I was fortunate to meet someone as esteemed as you, the Blue Tower Lord.” Why would I reveal everything in such an unfamiliar place? I briefly met the eyes of the Blue Tower Lord and flashed her a grin. ‘Though scorned as foolish in the Floating Fortress, in the lower realms, Hughie might have been famous in his own right. Reaching Nevada’s tree suggests he’s quite a figure. I should look into this.’ Gathering her outer garments, the Blue Tower Lord stood up. It would’ve been the time for my lessons, but she too, was busy due to the news of the King of Humans. “Apologies, my disciple. There's a descent coming in three days, and I ought to focus on teaching you. However, I’m so busy that I must leave. We won’t see each other often from now on.” “It’s regrettable, but understandable. The King of Humans is such an issue that even five Tower Lords wouldn’t suffice.” “…Who told you about the gathering of the Tower Lords?” “Considering you had a curriculum planned just before the descent, and suddenly getting busy could only mean a new issue arose. It must be about the King of Humans. They wouldn’t convene such a meeting without inviting all the Tower Lords, would they?” Puzzle-solving isn’t exclusive to you. Well, I did read your thoughts, though. ‘Indeed. With his intellect, such deductions come easily. It’s been a while since I've been analyzed rather than the one analyzing.’ Wearing a slight smile, the Blue Tower Lord left a parting remark before exiting the room. "The world is changing. It's time for the Floating Fortress to adjust its stance slightly as well. I wish for you to rise through the Dragon Gate. If someone like you, seen as lacking here, ascends in the Floating Fortress, it can change too." As I watched the Blue Tower Lord as she exited the room, I pondered for a moment. The Blue Tower Lord had always been like that. She showed a keen interest in those from outside, helped them settle in the Floating Fortress, and even taught them. Such actions could only come from someone who dreams of transformation. However, the Floating Fortress itself seems very stable and peaceful. I liked it here myself, actually. So, could the problem be outside? A supreme city where only selected wizards can ascend, the Floating Fortress. It's time to focus on the outside, the Mage Federation, which houses the majority of the population. Three days remain until the descent.