Bennett had changed his perception of the wizard several times.
When he discovered the circumstances of hiding the Demonic Sword in the Academy, he saw him as a villain with evil intentions plotting schemes.
When he faced him in the lecture hall, he saw him as a lunatic with screws loose, his mind destroyed by magical research.
When he lured the group into another world, he saw him as a spider-like man, catching them in his net; someone who would stop at nothing to achieve their goals.
After experiencing all these events…
He only learned that the wizard was working in the shadows to save the world, but many parts were still shrouded in mystery. He gave the impression of someone as deep as the abyss.
Who was he, why was his attitude like that, and what were his true intentions?
Even if he tilted his head to find out, only his own face would reflect on the wavering surface. No matter how much he squinted and tried to look beyond… All he could find in the pitch-black abyss was darkness.
Therefore, Bennett took a gamble.
To reveal that he was a Black Wizard. Bennett could have revealed it to his teacher, Alexon, with whom he maintained a good relationship first. This might have been a cleaner way to handle it.But he chose to bring it up with the Crazy Wizard because he believed he was strongly connected to the Second Prince. If he could persuade him, he could have powerful backing. Bennett's sense of reasoning told him this.
And Bennett's heart gave yet another reason for the same decision.
What Bennett wanted was a happy ending without sacrifices. And in ordinary methods, either his sister or one of his two friends would have to be sacrificed.
People wouldn’t eliminate the powerful Black Wizard known as 『Corpse Flower that Consumes Fear』 just for the sake of a single traitorous Black Wizard. Thinking they could separate only her mental entity and save Bennett's sister was unrealistic optimism.
However... If it was this man, whose true intentions were unknown…
Maybe… he could solve everything in an unimaginable way. That was the vague intuition he had.
Knock, knock, knock.
Three heavy knocks sounded. Bennett announced his visit beyond the Professor's research lab.
"Bennett Helton. I am coming in."
"I've been waiting. Come in."
Creak...
When Bennett opened the door, a noisy, unpleasant sound came from the hinges. If he was a competent wizard, he would have plenty of money, so why not replace the hinges with new ones?
The wizard noticed Bennett's gaze toward the hinges and spoke before he could ask.
"Ah, I purposely made them rusty and stiff. It's a cost-effective security device. If someone tries to sneak in, it will make a noise."
"...You do not install magical security devices?"
"Of course, I do that too. It's a double measure. People usually think there will be either magic or physical traps, not both... People are more likely to fall for obvious and primitive traps. They can't imagine a wizard relying on rusty hinges, after all."
"⋯⋯⋯⋯."
A clever arrangement of traps exploiting gaps in consciousness. Bennett cautiously extended his foot, scanning the inside of the research lab. Despite it being a freaky wizard's research lab, it was highly organized and clean.
It resembled the interior of an office workspace.
The only unusual point was the absence of books and bookshelves. Normally, one or two pieces of furniture would be placed, but none were visible. Instead, a few flower pots occupied the space.
"Please have a seat. Is coffee fine for a drink?"
"...Sure."
Bennett sat on the sofa with a square table in the center. The wizard poured plain water into a cup and placed it on the table. It was unmistakably plain water in both color and smell.
"...Did you not say coffee?"
The wizard snapped his fingers.
"Now it's coffee."
"⋯⋯⋯⋯."
The liquid that had been plain water turned into dark, fragrant coffee. It was impossible to tell if it was Illusion Magic turning water into coffee or if it had been coffee disguised as water.
The wizard crossed his legs and sat across from Bennett. The wizard's face was close to an expressionless face, but his tone was friendly and playful.
"You said you had something to say? If it's romantic advice you need, then I am more than willing."
"You are the last person I would want advice from, even if I had romantic troubles. I'd rather grab someone passing by and ask."
"Ha... I happen to be a veteran in romance, but it seems you are not aware of it."
"Yeah, right."
Bennett took a sip of the coffee. It tasted bland, like plain water. From that, he understood the wizard's intention.
Bennett couldn't tell the difference between coffee and plain water. Whether it was coffee or plain water, it could switch with a mere gesture of the Illusion Wizard. He… indirectly expressed his confidence in his abilities.
It implied that changing what was black and white to a person was that simple for him.
The fact that he subtly revealed this intention at this timing also meant… ‘I already know your true identity’.
Looking back, he said this from the first meeting.
‘Do you truly think that your beliefs……are the correct answer?’ was what he had asked, thus questioning whether he would actually continue walking the path of a Black Wizard. At that time, Bennett couldn't understand the meaning. But the wizard had known from the beginning.
Bennett didn’t know whether he had read it in a dream or had other means of obtaining information. But the fact that he knew Bennett was a Black Wizard and accepted it was a positive sign.
Bennett asked just in case to confirm.
"Did you know?"
"What are you talking about?"
"That I'm a Black Wizard."
"...Ah, of course. I was able to find out a bit quicker than you may think."
It must have been this man who took away the magic circle installed for the summoning plan of 『Corpse Flower that Consumes Fear』. If he was coordinating a grand scheme to save both worlds... There was no point in a push and pull or negotiation.
There was a huge gap between the wizard, who already knew everything, and Bennett.
Bennett erased the naive plan to request assistance in exchange for information. He let out a hollow laugh. This wizard had completely overwhelmed him with sophisticated metaphorical pressure within five minutes of his arrival.
Yet didn't he lower a rope of help subtly with the coffee? He had basically implied, ‘If you cooperate obediently, I can cover up your past mistakes like this coffee’. Thus, Bennett had no choice but to reveal everything.
"I will tell you everything I know."
"⋯⋯⋯⋯."
Bennett revealed all the information he had collected while involved with the Black Wizard forces. The disturbance in the Academy. The resurrected 『Corpse Flower that Consumes Fear』 and her plan. The bases of the Black Wizards he knew of. And...
"There is also a branch of the Black Wizards around here. They only deliver orders through magic communication to hide their location, but I succeeded in backtracking it. This is all I know."
As Bennett finished speaking, the wizard who had been listening attentively tilted his head. And he gave Bennett a gaze that seemed to look into the very depths of his soul with ominous red eyes.
"...Mmm. I appreciate your trust in me, but why did you come to see me? Aren't you close to the Saintess? She can help you."
"Tara has high authority, but her faction is not particularly strong. To protect me, she would have to diminish her authority. I don’t want that."
"Is that so..."
The wizard clapped his hands and spoke cheerfully.
"Alright, let's do it this way. You are a double spy secretly dispatched by the Saintess and through cooperation with us... the Second Prince and the Imperial Defense Bureau, you conducted an infiltration operation. You successfully gathered a lot of information, and as of today, you are retired from the operation."
"Retired… is it?"
"In case you're wondering, I'm not suggesting you leave the Academy to farm somewhere. Since you're a spy dispatched by the Saintess, it means you return to her side. Don't you have to graduate from the Academy, after all?"
"...Confirmed."
The wizard slightly raised the corners of his mouth in satisfaction. Then he took out a crude necklace from his pocket and placed it on the table. The necklace was made of a string and an old cogwheel.
Bennett felt a strong sense of déjà vu with the familiar shape of the necklace.
"Bennett, I mentioned that… I had a message to deliver to you. Here it is."
“This is?”
"A gift from Abraham."
From the wizard's words, Bennett could understand. This cogwheel was a… part of Abraham, who was trapped in a golem's body in the dungeon. Bennett clenched his fist and glared at the wizard.
"...What is your intention?"
"I don't know the details either. I don't know why this necklace is in this form. I just received it. From the Goddess."
Seeing Bennett's fierce eyes, the wizard waved his hands, claiming his innocence. In fact, the Crazy Wizard really didn't know. It was an item the Purple Magic Tower Master had passed on to the trio, saying it was for them.
"The Goddess of the Otherworld took the place of the retreated Evil God and prepared a gift with the power gathered during that time. She told me to convey that she had taken Abraham's soul, so you should not worry."
"⋯⋯⋯⋯."
Bennett's clenched fist loosened. Abraham seemed to have been saved by the Goddess. A deep sense of relief was felt, and then... he wanted to inform Tara and Niolle of this as soon as possible.
"And this is Abraham's message. Bennett."
"...I'll listen."
"Thank you for fulfilling my request. And for saving this old man's homeland, my world. I watched you fight from up above. You shone so brightly that even these old eyes could see it clearly. All of you were shining like stars."
"⋯⋯⋯⋯."
"The Goddess granted my request to leave a letter for you. I lived half my life as an atheist, but if I had known this would happen, I would have made sure there was a bigger presence of religion in my life. Though I'd never worship that nasty lump of bubbles, even if I died."
It was the wizard's mouth making the sound, but Bennett could hear Abraham's voice in those sentences. He could vaguely imagine the expression on the old man's face as he spoke.
"My words have gone on long enough. Though my journey ends here, the road ahead for you will be long and arduous. But remember, even on a seemingly painful path, happiness is close by. I will pray for you. From Abraham. To my dear Tara, Bennett, and Niolle."
Abraham's letter concluded this way. Bennett felt a bitter but not entirely unpleasant aftertaste in his mouth. Just like the taste of the coffee.
"...If Tara hears this, she will cry."
"Tears of joy, won't they be? And there is a personal... gift from this side as well. This is for you, Bennett."
The wizard handed over a ticket.
Bennett looked at the crude ticket and expressed his honest feelings.
"...What is this ticket that looks like a child made it?"
"It’s because our Tower Master doesn't have much skill with her hands. But, despite its appearance, it's genuine."
"Genuine?"
"She said she would help. You need to save your younger sister, don't you? In that field, she is at the pinnacle, so it will be a great help. Use it wisely."
"...So you knew about that too."
The Purple Magic Tower Master was known to be a monster who had reached the realm of Sublimation. Bennett, having learned how powerful Metamorphosis could be, could somewhat grasp the might of Sublimation.
The Purple Magic Tower was not highly regarded compared to other Magic Towers, so Bennett thought the Purple Magic Tower Master might be less skilled than other Tower Masters.
However, saving his sister involved magic affecting the mind, so the wizard's words about the optimal choice made sense. Bennett's heart pounded wildly.
Examining the roughly made ticket carefully, Bennett realized it was imbued with so much magic that he could hardly comprehend it. He couldn't grasp all its functions, but at the very least, it wouldn't crumple or tear from water.
The ticket was likely genuine.
Bennett brushed his fingers over the surface of the ticket, absorbing its information. The magic on the ticket naturally conveyed the information.
If the ticket was torn, information on his location would be immediately sent to the Purple Magic Tower Master, thus summoning her. If he used this ticket in front of 『Corpse Flower that Consumes Fear』, then...
"⋯⋯⋯⋯."
Maybe, just maybe, he could really save her. He might be able to retrieve his long-lost sister and exchange morning greetings again. In fact, this was the most certain opportunity he had ever had.
It wasn't just a hope to deceive himself but truly… a clearly visible opportunity.
His hands trembled. Bennett, worried he might damage the ticket, carefully picked it up and placed it inside his pocket.
After the joy and emotion passed, anxiety surged.
He had received far too much, after all.
"...I only provided a few pieces of information. I don’t think this… is enough of a reason for a Tower Master to help with. Why? Why would you help to this extent?"
"You say such strange things. A Professor helping a student is only natural... is what I was going to say, but if I say that, you will feel extremely uneasy, won't you? And you wouldn't believe it either."
"⋯⋯⋯⋯."
"It's simply a fair transaction. Bennett. Have you already forgotten what you've done? It hasn't been many days, though."
The wizard spread his arms and laughed.
"You saved the world, Hero."
"⋯⋯⋯⋯."
Bennett lowered his head. The desperate struggle of a boy who lost his sister on a chilly winter day – at this moment, it finally found meaning.
Hope sang.
Now, all that remained for him was to move forward.
***
https://ko-fi.com/genesisforsaken