Chapter 55 A Little Payback

By possessing a mage ID card, Daniel becomes subject to Hightower law and its corresponding obligations, such as paying taxes and receiving their protection.

The mage ID exempts individuals from paying taxes to the mundane world, except for value-added tax. Additionally, mages with IDs are immune to mundane law enforcement as long as they do not reveal the existence of the Curtained World to the mundane world.

However, having a mage ID does not provide absolute protection against assault or death by enemies. It does, however, offer defense against enslavement, which is a severe offense in the eyes of the Hightower. If a mage is enslaved, the Hightower will send a squad of grandmaster mage enforcers to deal with the perpetrator.

Even the Confederation, which is known for its capital of slavery, does not dare to enslave mages with IDs because the Hightower responds harshly and swiftly to any such offense.

This is why Wrath wants to give Daniel an ID; it will protect him from enslavement like the Artificers who have been enslaved after their IDs were canceled or before they received them.

Moreover, the followers of the mage who possess IDs can also benefit from them, such as receiving protection from their mage clan or reducing their tax obligations to the mundane world.

Victor raised his voice in protest. "That's not what we agreed on, Mr. Kyros!" he said.

Informing Kyros about Daniel's infringement on the ID card issue. He hoped that the enforcer from the Alchemont clan would deal with Daniel, rather than using this as an opportunity to blackmail him or try to gain his favor by offering the ID.

"That's not for you to decide, Your Majesty," Kyros dismissed Victor's protest without care.

Daniel, who was listening to both Kyros and Victor bickering, grew impatient. He looked at Victor and smiled maliciously, causing the latter to suddenly feel a chill.

"It seems Mr. Victor doesn't want to negotiate with me in the first place. So be it, I also don't want to negotiate with you either. And as for you..." Daniel turned to Kyros. "Are you sure that Victor is truly a mage and not a mundane person disguised as a mage?"

"What are you hoping to accomplish, Mr. Magitek? We know that His Majesty Victor is a mage," Kyros said, confusion lacing his voice.

Daniel smiled for a moment before responding with a touch of sarcasm.

"Let me ask you, Mr. Enforcer. Why do you believe that Mr. Victor is a mage? Is it solely because it is registered in the database? Have you personally witnessed him using magic?"

Kyros stared at Daniel, his expression deadly serious. "What are you implying? He is a Master Rank Mage, and passing the necessary tests to reach that rank is foolproof. There is no way he could have cheated."

"I did not question him in the past, as I knew that his slightly above-average magical capabilities could not fool the judge," Daniel responded.

"However, I recall that the Hightower law dictates that if a mage neglects their studies to the point where they can no longer use magic, their credentials as a mage will be nullified by the Hightower. Mr. Merlin himself authored this law to prevent mages from indulging in extreme lifestyles that lead to extreme negligence in their studies and the deterioration of the mage community."

Kyros was momentarily stunned by Daniel's words. He knew of Victor's debauched way of life and was not entirely confident that Victor could still use magic or activate the power in his insignia. He turned towards Victor.

pαndα,noνɐ1,сoМ "Your Majesty, please demonstrate your magical abilities for this individual to see," Kyros ordered.

Victor felt a twinge of reluctance at being ordered around, but knew that he had no choice in the matter.

Victor decided against using flashy spells like fireballs and lightning bolts, instead opting for a simple light spell, the most fundamental of all spells, to show he still possessed magical ability. He lifted his hand, concentrating on summoning his mana to activate the mage insignia embedded in his bracelet.

However, after several seconds, there was no response from his magic vein. It felt as if he had never wielded magic before, as if it had been dormant since birth.

Kyros addressed Victor with a respectful tone, gesturing to him and urging him to try again, saying "Your Majesty?"

Victor's nerves were frayed as he failed to cast even a simple light spell, causing him to break into a sweat. He knew he had been negligent in his magical studies, but failing to activate even a basic spell was beyond embarrassing. How could he ever hope to use advanced spells or fight as a combatant mage if he couldn't even manage this?

Kyros, sensing the tension, interjected with a slightly admonishing tone.

"Using a light spell is sufficient, your majesty. However, you must reduce your indulgences and focus on your magical training, or you risk failing the bare minimum requirement to sit on the Hightower council."

Upon hearing this, Daniel smiled knowingly, suggesting that he had anticipated Victor's failure. Ragnar was taken aback by the smile and studied Daniel closely, but he couldn't detect any sign, signal, or mana fluctuation from either Daniel or Victor.

Of course, no one would have been able to detect anything, as what Daniel used was not categorized as a spell. It was the effect of an attachment-type enchantment that he had just utilized.

Daniel was familiar with this type of enchantment, having previously used it on the "Portal Rabbit". If a card did not specify whether it was a blessing or curse, it would not create a mana fluctuation phenomenon like normal magic. Instead, its effect would simply manifest itself in the target without any visible indication.

Card: Return to Mundane

Picture: The image shows a man discarding his sword and armor, which bear a noble emblem. In the background, a cozy home is visible, where a woman, presumably his wife, waves to him.

Rarity: Rare

Type: Enchantment - Attachment

Mana Cost: 2 Non-Element, 1 Holy

Description: Target creature becomes a 1/1 civilian with no abilities.

Flavor text: After a long and brutal war, what soldiers crave most is the warmth and comfort of a home, a soft bed, and a hot meal earned through their sacrifices in defending their homeland. For some, returning to the mundane is the greatest reward of all.

The event depicted in this card occurred after the long war between Wallachia and the Vatican and resulted in a sudden change in one's mind and body, without any visible manifestation of magic.

Victor pointed an accusatory finger at Daniel. "You! Did you do something to me!?"

Daniel, a former businessman and now an Artificer, remained unfazed. His face only showed surprise at Victor's outburst, though Ragnar could discern a hint of glee in his eyes.

Though Ragnar couldn't be certain what Daniel had done, he was sure that something had transpired between him and Victor. Otherwise, Daniel wouldn't have baited Kyros like that.

"Pardon? What are you talking about?" Daniel asked, feigning innocence after using the card's power on Victor.

Kyros also felt the same confusion. He hadn't detected anything, but why would Daniel bait him like that?

Feeling Kyros's questioning glare, Daniel put on a disappointed expression before letting out a sarcastic smile.

"I know what you're thinking, Mr. Kyros, but I just wanted to mess with him. If you came here to arrest me, then you should have already done your homework on why I like to target him. If not, then... There is someone I think who is more capable than you. You can ask him," Daniel said, his tone sarcastic as he looked at Klause.

Klause couldn't help but smile wryly. Why was this guy trying to drag him into this mess? Wasn't messing with Victor enough for him?

As he looked at Daniel's face, Klause detected a deep sense of respect and appreciation, as if he had done something right in the eyes of this mysterious Artificer.

[Does this guy know me? But I'm certain we've never met in person before... Wait, he knows me?!] Klause's mind was in a state of panic, but he managed to maintain his composure and didn't show any outward sign of anxiety.

As if struck by lightning, a single clue hit him. Klause remembered that Daniel had once sent a small artifact construct into his office, which he had found hidden under the shirt of a royal police officer.

Klause had thought that he had destroyed it once and for all, because he knew that creating an artifact construct as intricate and advanced as that was impossible for a modern-day artificer. However, for a genius like Daniel, who could create an Atlantean Artifact on a whim, it would be a piece of cake.

Now he knew why Daniel seemed to recognize him. There was another spy artifact construct in his office. He needed to return to his office and do a thorough sweep.

Despite Klause's panic and dilemma, no one, not even Daniel, noticed anything amiss about Klause except Ragnar, who saw a glint of nervousness in his eyes.