THE RETURN OF THE WITCH
2. 30 Years Back to the Past
“Uuuurrg ....!”
When Ian regained his conscience, the first thing he felt was nausea. His nausea was so bad, he felt like vomiting.
‘What happened?’
In a hurry, he searched his chest. The blood, the wounds, the pain, he didn't feel it. He was sure something unusual happened.
“Ian, what's wrong with you?”
Ian's heart was racing. Even the nausea disappeared for the moment. Unforgettable and familiar voice. That imposing voice, the voice he so missed, tickled his left ear.
“Mo, mom .....?”
His mother had been gone a long time. Sound ‘Vanessa Page.’ Ian could never know that one day would come that he would meet her again.
“Did I make it?”
Or did I fall into the world of the dead? Clasping his mother's hand tightly, Ian looked around.
“Next!”
“Je, Jess from Lloyd Village!”
“Lloyd? Is there a village called Lloyd? ”
“The village is very far apart and rural ...”.
“Hmph! No problem, come in. ”
“A, a, a really exist, a true Mage inside?”
“Well, you'll know if you're in, right?”
“Ah. Yes!”
Thousands of children seem to have lined up for this. Mixed in this line are Ian and Vanessa. Controlling the crowd that was flocking were the rugged and ugly looking warriors of the master's palace. A flag with the symbol of the Ivory Tower fluttered above the pure white tent.
Drinking in the scenery, Ian could assess the current situation.
“It looks like I made it .. succeed.”
His little hand was further proof of his success.
He had traveled exactly 30 years ago. Back before the Continent was United under the name Greenriver. He could guess how many years due to the current situation. All children lined up for ‘checked,’ each region forced to do ‘Tes Reaction Mana.’
“It is a mandatory test for every child who is 10 years old.”
Before returning, Ian was forty years old. With the consequences of logical deduction, he has traveled back 30 years into the past.
“I've come back further than I thought possible.”
Not 10, not 20, but 30 years. Of course, this is not a bad result. No, it's kind of fantastic.
“I'm just trying to wipe the blood on my hand.”
The reason he studied the Dragon Chant, chasing Time Magic, was to erase the evidence of the destruction he did with his magic. To uproot and branch history, and transform it completely. Such was his justification before he was poisoned by the Emperor.
“Well, I can't let it end again with a knife on my back.”
Under the pretext of being friends, he had made many concessions. Because he is loyal, he is more than tolerant. This has caused infinite misery. His best friend, Emperor Ragnar, turned traitor. Getting used to his life, in the end, all of it leads to his death.
“This life has been given to me, I will not be led by anyone.”
For such a belief to prove true, he must find it again. The strength of a Cla.s.s 8 Witch, and advanced above that power. Whynot? Because he had already walked on that road once. He would run in that direction in a momentary breath and aim further ahead.
“Next!”
When Ian came to the resolution of the heart, it was his turn for the Mana Reaction Test.
“I'll be back.”
Ian tried to comfort his mother, whose face was full of worry.
Walking forward towards the soldier in front of the tent, he spoke, “Ian, from Mogrian Village. ”
“Mogrian ..... Ah, are you our son Vanessa?”
Ian's mother was the kitchen maid at the master's palace. To a kitchen maid, she was beautiful in a mistake that made many soldiers angry at her. They saw her as an easy target, because she was a widow and a kitchen maid.
“Please and do not bother Mage with useless questions.”
The soldier's eyes were wet as his gaze focused on Ian's mother. Something Ian could not notice in his youthful ignorance.
“I should probably fix his sight soon.”
I swear, Ian entered the tent. In the tent were the young delegation of Mage and the three Knights, standing guard.
“Mr Aaron, how many children are left?”
“I'm sure you still have to spend a few hours on this task.”
“Hah.
Was it because the Mage had already tested several hundred children? The Mage's voice was filled with fatigue.
“This brings me back to the beautiful past.”
During his time as an apprentice Mage, Ian was sent to perform one of these tests. Although he was not tired like the Magician in front of him, it was definitely because the village was rural and quiet.
“Situation here should be different.”
This is the province of Mogrian. One of the four largest regions in the Empire, it is called ‘Great Province.’ The area is wide enough that there should be thousands of children who have to take the test.
“True, Son. Coming closer.”
With a soft voice, Mage called out to Ian. Other than he was a Mage, he seemed to be a mannered noble. Although Ian was a Mage, the arrogance of most Mages knew no bounds.
“If they could be worse than the nobles than they did.”
Witches are precious. So rare are they, that most laypeople find it difficult to meet in their lifetime. With the value of a Mage, the number of their own heads was small.
Among the Magicians, 90% stayed in Class 1 for the rest of their lives. The authority of a Cla.s.s 1 Mage was the next best thing to becoming a minor noble. From Class 4 onwards, they were not even afraid of the greater power of nobles.
“They say the number of Magicians is proportional to the strength of the nation.”
Therefore, they perform the mandatory Mana Reaction Test. To find and maintain only one more Mage for their country.
“For now, won't you lower your head a little?”
First attribute, ‘Mana Brain,’ The part of the brain that takes over in manifesting magic. This attribute could not be obtained, that person was inherently born with it.
Speaking like that, the Mage placed his hand on Ian's head. As he explained, Ian started to feel dizzy. This is an obvious result, a side effect of Mana Brain stimulation
“Good. Now, turn around so that your back is facing me. ”
Second attribute, ‘Mana Heart.’ A place that stores, creates, and circulates Mana, an organ that is all included. The place he was piercing incantations etched spells.
“Hmmm.”
The test ended after the evidence of the existence of Mana Heart. If both attributes are proven, the examinee is given the privilege of directly attending the Magic Academy.
As in the past, Ian did not feel confident. He felt there was something ‘less.’
“Why are you standing?”
Ian hesitated to see the Mage rushing over. As if it reminded him of something, the Mage began to spit out words.
“Ah, I just found out where your Brain is. Whatdoes thatmean? This means that life will soon turn right in front of your nose. But only if, you have Mana Heart. So hurry up, and turn around. ”
Mage never imagined the reaction would appear this year.
Hearing the part about “ his life will turn around”, Ian hurriedly turned to continue with his Mana Heart test, but he stopped because he had higher ambitions than a simple change in life.
“Simple Academy Admissions are not enough.”
Ian needs the best start, right from the starting line. While he was lacking in Mana, it did not mean there was no other way. Should he be a little more courageous?
“Eh, Mage.”
Deciding, Ian opened his mouth. His childish voice still felt strange.
“There's something I want to show you.”
“A letter? Well, something like that …… .. ”
Yeah, there's a lot like that. Children bring ‘surat’ or ‘gift’ as a tribute. The like-minded Ian had also experienced something like that. Without a doubt, this noble also had a similar situation.
“There is nothing like it.”
But, what Ian wanted to show was something very different. Something that will increase its value exponentially.
Witchcraft. What's again?
Whoa!
In Ian's hand, a fire the size of a small fist erupted. Basic magic belongs to Class 1, ‘Fireball.’
“Bola api.....?”
At Mage's reaction, Ian was satisfied. In the other hand, Ian made a tear-shaped ball of water. This time, ‘Aquaball.’
“Double Casting ......?”
The Mage's eyes were wide open. The Knights watching nearby had the same inclination. This little boy uses magic? Not entering the Academy's doorway, this brat used magic during his Mana Reaction Test? And on top of that, Double Casting?
This was truly a major incident with no precedent in history.
“I really don't know.”
Mage's face craved an answer, and Ian stared straight at Mage's face without a jolt. Without dropping a single syllable, Ian continued.
“It just started working one day.”
“…….. What?”
What nonsense is this boy talking about?
This kid, he's suspicious.
“Maybe, did someone teach you such a skill?”
“Not really. I don't remember anything like that happening. ”
“Really?”
The Mage cast an Interrogation Magic as he asked his question. Magic checks for instinctive biological responses such as heart rate spikes or pupil dilation.
“Think clearly before you answer. Any lie can make you declare treason. What I'm talking about is that you, your family, even your neighbors can be executed. ”
The word Mage is not the ones that trigger fear. With benefits beyond one's imagination, the existence of Mages was also tightly regulated. Each Mage was under the administration of the Empire and the Ivory Tower. Any unregistered Mage is considered a traitor. Likewise, teaching magic without permission. It expanded to a specific organizational setting to observe their every action.
“What reason should I lie to you?”
Ian knew that reality better than anyone else. He even admitted to the Interrogation Magic that the Mage had summoned. But he still continued with his falsehood.
“Because I really didn't learn it from anyone.”
Basic Mana prayers and some magic spells. All that, he realized through self-study in his previous life. All that, in the exact 3-month period between passing the Mana Reaction Test and waiting for the new season of the Magic Academy.
“Jenius who has no friends does not sound too bad.”
Ian first was a certified genius. Was he not the first Cla.s.s 8 Mage human ever seen? It was just that in his previous life, he was an ordinary genius. In this new life, he would become a legendary existence among Magicians, a genius among geniuses who would connect him with ‘First Witch.’
“Hu hu.
The Mage's mouth split open and came out, laughter coming. There were so many suspicious angles to the story that the boy spewed out. But the problem was, the Interrogation Magic didn't work. Can the child control his basic instincts intentionally? Stupid Magic Interrogation?
“But it doesn't make sense.”
Mage could affirm, such an action was impossible. Only the spies that assimilate daily and the best extreme training can become this unresponsive.
“There are two conclusions to this.”
Either this boy is the most important spy in history.
Or the.
‘She has talent‘ First Witch. ”
A legend that the Mage must have heard, at least once. For ordinary people, they believe magic is rooted in Dragons. For Mage, they believe in ‘Mage First.’
“Both sides are beyond my wildest imagination.”
As the deepest thoughts of the Mage begin to lean towards the latter….
“Hai, please stop this!”
“Shu, shu! Don't you know there are important people inside? ”
The sound of fighting could be heard outside. From the soldiers guarding the tent lid, and Ian's mother.
