Chapter 164 - Now the Tables Have Turned!

"What an interesting bunch that we have." Professor Yushalem exclaimed after unwrapping the fifth candy from her pocket. "First, I thought it'll be boring since we're dealing with the last examinees, and from the strong soon to be mages who battled in the dungeon before them. Initially, I thought I'll be so bored. But who knows that they'll turn the tables and make this thrice as interesting than it is?"

"Yusha, you'll get tooth decay." Scolded Yoan. 

The professor grinned with the lollipop still on her mouth. 

"Don't you all agree?"

"Well, we can't deny that there are examinees who managed to stand out for several reasons." It was professor Miketsukami. "For instance, Anakin and Claire Disfiegro. They are both remarkable in terms of potential, and they both exhibit their charms to those around them. They are befitting to be placed on Ianua II, at the very least."

"That's true, yes. But what about Faustina Feuerlon? Leviticus of Atziluth? And many other talents?" Yushalem made a knowing glance to Mariam, who was caught to take an interest in the topic upon hearing Faustina's name. 

"Well, they are admirable as well, however…"

"No, let's not talk about their skills." Yushalem bit her lollipop. "Let's talk about their ability to attract the undead royals."

"Hmm?" 

The professors eyed Yusha, who seemed to be delighted upon receiving that much attention.

"What do you mean, Professor Yushalem?" Asks Professor Madne, who raised her brow. 

"Aah, Madne. All of you. Haven't you noticed a thing? The undead royal's practically chasing a certain person." Says Yusha. "Or at least, she encounters them too often."

"Are you pertaining to Faustina Feuerlon, Yusha?" Miketsukami asked.

"Hoho," utters Professor Gimli as he caressed his beard, staring into the screen. "You're right. She is indeed the undead royal magnet,"

All of the professors then turned to their screen. And upon turning, they saw how Faustina backed away from the undead prince who had now repaired a considerable amount of his muscles by eating Faustina's magic.

"Of all the undead royals, why the undead prince when she's alone?" Professor Indio scoffed and tauntingly chuckled. "Just how much bad luck does this kid carry?"

"Can she defeat this guy?" Yushalem grinned, "what do you think, Mariam?"

"What a foolish question, Yusha." Professor Madne remarked, but the professor who was grinning like a child paid no heed to her, and instead, eagerly waited for Mariam's response.

"Well, we programmed the undead prince's magic with his environment," says Mariam, the dark arts professor. "He's thirsty for mana and can reduce magic to its simplest form to be able to consume it. Of course, he uses dark magic, so it's partially contaminated. To be able to sustain himself, he would search for a purer source. Raw mana. If he consumes a considerable amount, he would be deemed powerful and would be harder to defeat. Which is why their only choice is to flee or find his weak spot—the firefly insignia or the seal to his cursed soul."

Professor Indo felt a shiver run down his spine.

"Seriously. It's so creepy to think about. You used cursed souls for the dungeon to fight some inexperienced kids? I still can't recover from that!" He says.

"That's because it isn't from your department, Indio. It's completely safe," defended Professor Yoan, who was also an associate of Mariam in the dark arts and research.

"Right, right. But it unsettles me quite a bit."

"Well, we've seen this for so many times already from the past examinees," says Professor Miketsukami. "You're being more of a coward compared to our timid Ramsha, Indio."

"What?!" 

"H-hey, don't involve me, Mike…" Professor Ramsha asserted.

"Hoho. But it was indeed safe, Professor Indio." Professor Gimli exclaimed. "Since I'm part of the teachers who created artificial monsters, I can testify for the safety of the dungeon. The dark royals cannot kill any of the students, because they are already marked by the emblem of the firefly, which acts as their leash."

"Seriously, have you listened to anything the senior instructors have been telling you?" Professor Lotus Madne said to Professor Indio.

"Right! How the hell do I listen to that boring lecture!"

"This is why your department is less popular and hasn't won the Grand Magic Festival!"

"Kuh! Just you see, I'll snatch that number one and have my Ianua flourish in no time!"

"Right. Hope they will," Professor Lotus Madne exclaimed. 

"You're so arrogant, Madne. Just because your students are from Ianua II…"

Madne chuckled with chin held high. 

"Of course, they're my student."

"…Now then, let's check how our future students are doing…"

**

Anakin Disfiegro was enraged. 

Angered. 

He disliked losing his mood, and now it's all ruined just because that Leviticus came into the picture. He, with his smug face, stood so proudly in front of him despite the Heilen-like appearance he had carried. Leviticus clenched his fist—his nails digging on his palms. 

He had no mana crystals anymore, and he was alone. The only perks were that he had information, but the crystal fragments… he couldn't just pick them up after that filth Leviticus touched them. He wouldn't lay that low to kneel down in an attempt to gather those fragments.

No.

Leviticus walked away and then went to the destination that would serve as a route for him back to the dark castle. It was thanks to those fools he was able to figure it out. No, it was thanks to his cunningness he was able to deceive them so splendidly. 

It was all thanks to the magic given by that man.

The spell that makes people agree to him.

"Why doesn't it affect that plebeian?"

That shawled man in the dark market was wrong. It didn't encompass all the people. That miscreant Leviticus was able to show him he wasn't affected. Either he was immune to the spell or the spell was just at fault. Whichever it is, Anakin doesn't care. The mere fact that he was humiliated in front of those plebeians was degrading as it is.

He had to make sure that those plebeians won't pass. He couldn't bear the thought of them looking at him with contempt.

"Ah, that is the guy who framed Faustina for something vile he did."

"He really tried so hard to look nice, but Levi was able to see through his act."

"Such a low-born noble. Is he really a Disfiegro? How is he so different from his brother, who was so right and just?"

"I can't believe we're on the same Ianua as you."

Anakin could hear them. He could hear the voices of a far future where those commoners passed. He could hear their mocking tone, and their taunting gaze. They would make fun of him. Laugh at him. He wouldn't want all the years he would spend in Magierstadt with a soiled name. He had to make them fail, so they won't talk.

"Give this to Faustina Feuerlon, and I shall guarantee your place in Ianua I."

Anakin tightened his grip around his staff. He had already sacrificed his trump card by revealing the mana revitalizer in Faustina's pockets. The shawled man in the market said that he only had to do that to pass, but Anakin cannot really figure out how that'll work—so he took it to his own hands and framed Faustina.

"Did I do the right thing?"

Anakin did not trust that suspicious man who told him he would be in Ianua I… but now, feelings of regret washed over him. 

What if he didn't remove the crystal fragment and showed it to everyone?

"Damn it… I expected the teachers to take action and fail her, but no…"

Anakin walked towards the dark castle as he finally entered its chambers. It still harbored the same, eerie feeling, but he was having cold regrets. He didn't have the time to even think about how sinister the castle looked as he reflected on his own actions.

Faustina's determined eyes, her upfront behavior, and her other side Anakin cannot put his thumb into. Suddenly, she wasn't so bad for him anymore. In fact, he felt a slight feeling of remorse over what he did.

But it was gone in an instant as he faced the dungeon head-on.

He should get swayed with the things that belonged in the past. He must face the present and be his usual, cunning self. He would get into the first Ianua without anyone's help, even without the mana revitalizers. He would conquer the dungeon even if it'll take him his very last drop of mana.

Anakin ambled his way to fight the cyclops and numerous monsters as he conjured powerful spells. He launched himself forward and battled the goblins and apparitions who dared to approach him.

That's right.

He was Anakin Disfiegro.

He will rise on top so that he won't fall behind his brother and sister. Anakin held his staff tightly and thumped it into the floor, sending the monsters flying to the floor. Anakin panted. He fought with rage, and so he ended up doing things quite recklessly.

CLAP. CLAP. CLAP.

"Impressive."

A voice, which belonged to a woman, spoke as the claps stopped. Anakin vigilantly looked around, but no one was there.

"What a reckless fight."

And then, with that, Anakin caught a whiff of a putrid smell from behind. 

"Barrier!"

Anakin was able to conjure a spell at the last moment as he jumped to back away.

A crown that was bloody and grimy, eyes that were hollow and empty, and a red gown with a fur that was as black as night.

"You reek of black magic." The woman licked her decaying lips. "Reminds me of my king whose stench was like that of his woman!"

Anakin's eyes widened as the woman's hollow eyes turned red—and emanated something that Anakin knew was forbidden for years.

"Black… magic!"