Chapter 124

Chapter 124

Minister Wesleigh, the main body of the Oracles Light has arrived. Please come and verify it.

Wesleighs gaze, which had been unfavorably looking down at Ian, turned back. The surrounding mages who had been ridiculing him did the same. They hurriedly moved and prepared to receive the main body.

You wait here.

Ian nodded, meaning that he would be in trouble if he said anything, and Wesleigh frowned even more and went outside.

Shiny black velvet curtains separated the outside from here. Judging by the way the music and the din of peoples voices were getting louder, it was clear that they were enjoying a sociable pleasure.

Ian, you just laughed, didnt you?

Hmm? Me?

As Beric looked around the deserted surroundings, he realized that there were many magic circles drawn on the floor. Should he not step on them? He quickly lifted his toes, but Ian walked over them without any concern.

What if they get erased?

Magic circles dont disappear easily just because you step on them. Not unless you cover them with something else. The main body of the Oracles Light will probably be set up here.

Ian muttered as he examined the magic circles. It was a part where intricate formulas and curves written in flying letters were chaotically layered.

What do you think that Wesleigh is going to do? She feels so creepy.

Shes probably already done it. The Ministry of Magic would want the magic power I possess to be useless.

First and foremost, it was to humiliate the arrogant illegitimate child, and secondly, it was to give external legitimacy to the act of putting Ian in a lower department.

Since I am considered Marivs subordinate, it would naturally be a burden to put me in a core department.

Isnt the minister the head there? Cant you just do what you want? Who would dare to say anything? Or should you just keep your head down and stick to menial tasks?

Although it was an independent and exclusive department, it was ultimately just one of the giant cogs in the imperial palace. There were too many factors involved to simply push Ian to the ground without justification.

Do you know what kind of criticism youll receive if you mistreat a noble who has received the Emperors favor without justification? The nobles wont be happy either. No matter how different our backgrounds are, if there is no respect for those who have received titles, there will surely be resistance.

It was clear that they didnt want to give Prince Mariv even the slightest opening.

So, you mean theres nothing to worry about?

Not necessarily.

Ah, this is giving me a headache.

Beric, I appreciate you worrying about me, but you dont have to. The answer is already set.

Ian discovered a magic circle that caught his eye and muttered.

The formula was slightly different from the Oracles Light activation spell he remembered. There were still many people walking around here and there. They were too busy to pay attention to him, but if he were to display his magic power, he would immediately attract their attention.

Its easy to look down from above, but its hard to look up from below.

The Magic Stone Department, which Prince Mariv wanted, was relatively less preferred, so it wasnt difficult to approach. Therefore, it was important to preemptively take the upper hand and widen the range of choices available.

In short, he intended to make his presence felt as much as possible in this place.

And above all, rumors will spread among the nobles that I am of commoner origin.

He needed to show them clearly.

That even though he was a bastard, he had the qualifications to be a noble like them. And that he had even more noble and precious abilities than them.

In order to strike a balance between both Princes Mariv and Gale, I need a third force.

Of course, it could be the 4th and 5th Princes who were the candidates for the Emperor, but for now, the power of the crowd was just right. The leaders of Bariel who were united under the name of nobles.

Swoosh.

After confirming the incorrect magic circle formula, Ian approached Beric and beckoned him.

Beric. Lend me your finger.

My finger?

As if ordering him to bite and draw blood, Beric bit the tip of his index finger. Ian crouched down and pointed to the parts that needed to be erased.

Cover here and here.

No, if you knew youd need this, you should have brought something useful!

Youre right. Its my fault.

Fine. A weeks worth of meat dishes.

Isnt it better to not let someone who knows nothing be made a fool of? Nakina grumbled, full of annoyance, because she didnt know that Wesleigh had tampered with the magic circle.

It makes me feel bad, like Im eating a child.

Anyway, youre really something.

Whatever, lets go down. I dont want to see this.

That sounds good. Shall we have some beer for a change?

Is Hale paying?

They chose to open a keg in the bustling back alley after leaving the palace rather than watch the disgusting mana verification process. Ian watched them and recalled the names of the three people.

The Battle of Roxanne. Hale, Tommy, Nakina.

Ian had seen mana verification countless times in the past. Of course, he knew the method, but their thoughtfulness left a deep impression on him.

Swoosh.

At that moment, a bright light poured down next to Ian. The velvet curtains that had been dividing the banquet hall were drawn back. The atmosphere of the hall, which was much more relaxed than before, came into view at a glance.

Oh! Its Baron Ian Hiello!

It looks like theyre finally going to start.

It must be hard to run around twice a day. Haha.

No, its not. Think about it. What could be so difficult for someone who used to barely scrape by in the back alleys?

Its my first time seeing this mana verification process. Im excited!

But sister, hes still handsome no matter how you look at him. To be honest, I dont think it matters that hes of commoner origin if you just look at his appearance.

Shhh! Stop making such reckless noises.

All sorts of noisy voices filled the air. Someones laughter, scorn, interest, and goodwill were mixed together to create a huge wall. An invisible wall between the platform where Ian was standing and the nobles watching him.

Ian! Do your best!

Romandro, who was raising his two fists behind him, was also visible. Raising his gaze slightly, he could see that the imperial family, including the emperor, was watching him. The gazes of Gale and Mariv were particularly sharp, but Ian ignored them and approached the Oracles Light.

This is Minister Wesleigh of the Ministry of Magic.

Wesleigh hid the coldness she had shown Ian and smiled like a minister. Her gaze tried to reach Gale on the second floor. Whether it reached him or not, only Gale would know.

Everyone knows that magic power is truly important to uphold the Great Empire of Bariel. However, it is truly regrettable that there have been no new talents in recent years. But I am truly glad that on the last day of this year, a new blessing seems to be descending upon the Ministry of Magic, and even more so, upon Bariel.

Wesleigh smiled, her eyes crinkling. The Ministry of Magic had a particularly large budget compared to other departments. Where did all that budget come from? It came from the taxes of the nobles.

I swear that the mana that Baron Ian Hiello shows will be used gloriously for the Great Empire of Bariel in the future.

Clap, clap, clap.

As Wesleigh clapped and stepped aside, the nobles also clapped reflexively. It was not out of a desire to cheer, but rather a habit that was ingrained in their bodies.

Hmm.

Ians expression remained unchanged. Despite the harsh gazes of the nobles, he grasped the Oracles Light without any wavering.

Clang.

At that moment, Wesleighs lips almost curled into a smirk at his hesitation. However, Ian leaned his shoulder against the Oracles Light as if it were the most natural thing in the world, adjusting his posture as if he were about to play a harp without strings.

Is this how it was done?

Memories of being an emperor and a magician long ago guided his body into familiar movements.

Wheeeeeeng. Wheeeeeeng.

Oooh. My word.

Look at that. His eye color changed!

And at the same time, his mana was released. His green eyes turned gold, and the wind swirled around him. Ian raised his right hand and placed it on the surface of the light, then began to gently rub it.

Swoosh!

Paht!

Ah.

Thousands of colors swirled around Ians touch. The nobles minds were wiped clean, as if they were witnessing heavenly music with their own eyes.