Davey. Youre aware that this could turn into an international dispute, right?

It doesnt matter. Theres already a precedent, you know?

Still

Besides, when would I experiment if not now? The mage tower is the best subject to experiment on.

Davey was testing out items that nobody could ever use even in the future. He was the only one who could, because he did not want to release the items for sale anywhere. Besides, even if he released them, the only ones who would be powerful enough to decipher the principles behind it were mages at the 7th Circle or above.

If the mages of the mage tower only focus on research, then they will become rigid and dull. They sometimes need to get some fresh air and exercise. If they dont do that, then wont their bellies stick out of their uniforms?

Hearing Daveys teasing voice through the communication tool, Great Sage Hellison Valestia felt a strange sense of uneasiness.

I believe youre aware that Emperor Deorte of the Lyndis Empire had played such a fun and interesting prank on me, no?

Hellison Valestia certainly knew about that one incident. After all, he was the Great Sage. He could infer various things from the simple information that he had gathered.

[I amaware.]

Its quite similar to what happened back then, no? You dont need to worry. Well, this is not because Im holding a grudge against you.

[D Davey, dont tell me! You!]

Davey slowly floated up into the sky, tossing a ball of light in his hands. Upon reaching the height that he wanted, he took out a bag from his Pocket Plane and shook its contents out in the air.

The bag contained dozens of capsules bearing an ominous skull on their surface. They were painted with bizarre colors.

Great Sage, you have brought this upon yourself.

[T-This Why dont we calm down for a second? What are you trying to do here?!]

Eyy. What do you mean by that? Im just giving you a gift.

Special delivery from hell.

Swoosh

Davey tossed the capsules out, watching them float in the air and scatter around one by one.

Dont use Sword Manipulation, a skill that all swordsmen dream of having, for something like this.

Ah, I dont care!

Ping!!!

Following the movements of Daveys fingers, the capsules flew and pierced through the crevices, windows, doors, and even vents of the Red Tower. Once that was done, he threw the ball of light in hands up into the air.

If you understand the principles behind this, then youll discover that this is a very interesting object. Perhaps you might be able to reach the 8th Circle if you can understand this.

[W-Wait! What are you trying to do to the Red Tower?!]

Eyy. Im not going to bring down the tower. You dont have to worry about that.

Poof!

Sparks flew out of the ball of light as it settled on the peak of the Red Tower. Then, it burst open and released a green shockwave that engulfed the area. The surroundings soon shook from huge gales and loud tremors.

Shwaaaaaaaa!

Fission, lets go!

The chain reaction brought about by the particle division was very dangerous. Thankfully, this new weapon had been designed to recreate the same effect only within a limited range.

Lets see if it works.

In just an instant, a special mana covered the entire Red Tower. Then, a series of explosions created shockwaves and evaporated all of the mana inside of it.

Thats why you should all exercise.

For mages, mana was like an extension of their bodies. However, Davey believed that they would not be flustered by this situation if they had been exercising and building up a strong body. They could probably even break the windows and jump out to escape the smoke that had overwhelmed the tower, right?

Ordinary people would die if they jumped out at this height, you know?

Well, I dont care.

Clack!

Davey nonchalantly opened the window at the top of the Red Tower. He could see Great Sage Hellison Valestia looking through the communication crystal in shock.

D-Davey, you How did you get?

Well, I rushed over here. Youre not taking it too well, huh?

Thats, thats very dangerous. The window is protected with a four-layered barrier to prevent trespassing. Theyre very dangerous. No matter how powerful you are

A barrier? Was there even one? Davey asked calmly as he spread his palms toward the open window. Four golden spheres appeared and spun above his palms a moment later.

The old man might not be able to figure out the principles of what Davey had done, but he was smart enough to figure it out.

Are you talking about these?

Feeling astonished, confused, and helpless, Hellison Valestia said, No way Are you telling me those spheres are the Barrier Magic placed on the windows? Howdid you?

How? You just have to rip them off and roll them into a ball, Davey said casually.

It was a lie.

Thats ridiculous Were you also the one who detonated that unknown mana shockwave that engulfed the mage tower?

What do you think of it?

I have never seen or heard anything about mana evaporating and disappearing in a chain reaction like that. Its like magic specifically made to completely counter a mage.

Its not magic, Davey answered calmly.

Hellisons eyes grew wide as he shouted, What?!

Its a weapon. Dont be like that, Great Sage, Davey said, grinning as he entered the window and sat opposite Great Sage Hellison Valestia. He offered playfully, Lets play a game, shall we? However, the Red Tower will be held hostage. If you win, then I will teach you a very helpful magic, Great Sage.

The old man looked at Davey in silence.

But if I win

Davey would let all of the CS Nausea Bullets that he had planted in this tower explode.

Just so you know, Ive been holding back on you. But this time, I wont do that. I wont let you off.

***

Ugh the old man groaned.

Clack!!!

At the same time, the Olde piece that he had put his trust in disappeared from the board. It had been completely surrounded by Daveys pieces. He did not even have the time to touch it.

Hey Prince Davey. How, how about letting me off just once?

Eyy. Whats the matter with you, Great Sage?

Hoho. Isnt what I did for the better? It wasnt such a big deal to have you cause an accident in the Red Tower, no?

Oh, I know.

Davey was fully aware that the old man had done that just to make fun of him and force him to jump to his own death.

By the way, this game will be over in three minutes. Youll be in great trouble if you dont find a solution to your predicament.

The old mans expression hardened as he focused on the Olde board in front of him. However, he could only look back up at Davey with wide eyes. He asked, Eyyy Youre having fun teasing this old man, hmm?

Im not lying.

Hmm?

Just like this.

The old man looked down at the Olde board in doubt as Davey moved a piece. Then, his eyes grew even wider. He exclaimed, No way!

Its too late to take it back, no? Shall we let it explode?

He, hey! Davey! Ask for something else! The Red Tower is already in a mess because of the unknown shockwave that exploded earlier! You were also the one who did the mana explosion in Shakuntala before!

Who knows? I dont know anything about that.

The old mans eyes narrowed sharply at Davey, who was acting all innocent. He said, Im telling you, dont do that. This old man knows that youre not the kind of person who will come here just because of that. What is it that you want?

Oh. I will be in trouble if you suddenly take the initiative like that.

Ey! Im starting to doubt if youre really a boy in your teens. I feel like Im seeing an old codger that has decades of experience in politics.

Were building an academy in Heins Territory. We expect it to be finished in a few months.

An academy

Im thinking of teaching swordsmanship, magic, medicine, spirit magic, holy magic, economics, alchemy, and liberal arts among other things, Davey said, placing a piece down on the Olde board as the old man looked at him in interest.

Right. Tell me about it in detail.

However, it will work on a different system.

The academy that Davey was building would work on a different system from all of the academies in existence here in the continent.

Except for the failing students, all of the students who attend the academy will receive a full scholarship.

Wouldnt that be too heavy of a burden?

Its fine. Theres nothing more profitable than selling weapons, you know?

Realizing what weapon Davey was talking about, Hellison Valestia muttered, That shockwave that engulfed the Red Tower If such a thing is revealed to the world, thenit would cause a huge impact.

Thats true. However, theres no other person who will be able to make it in the future.

If there was, then that would be a problem.

Why are you so sure?

Well, Im confident of that because anyone who tries making this weapon should at least be at the 7th Circle Master level.

Hellison smiled despondently. I see. Thats why youve come. Youre warning me.

The Great Sage is an upright and sensible man. I believe you should know just what will cause a huge stir in the continent or not, right?

Thats right. The scholarship system is nothing new. Since thats not it, whats going to set your academy apart from the others?

The academy will accept students of all races, genders, and classes.

Hellisons expression turned stiff as he murmured, You Dont tell me

If I was going to be afraid of someone opposing me, then I wouldnt have thought of making one. Its for the sake of the world, Great Sage. Davey grinned as he continued, There are many who wish to learn but cannot do so. There are also many talented children who failed to reach their potential simply because they werent given the opportunity to bloom.

Thats why Im building an academy. Its for those people. As long as they have the qualifications, then they will be able to learn everything that they want.

However, the academy might be condemned. That would be used as a pretext for discrimination.

That might be the case. But thats the reason why Im here.

Davey had come here to ask for advice.

Seeing Daveys smile, Hellison Valestia could only smile bitterly. Hoho. It seems like you, young man, are very determined to drive this old man into exhaustion, huh Fine. What else do you want?

Put a word in for me to the mage towers. I need to find someone who will become the teacher for my school of magic. To be honest, I would like it if the Great Sage could serve as the dean, but we cant have you leaving your position in Lindhall. Besides, youre also a very busy man.

Alright. Then, Ill put a condition on my side too, the old man said calmly. With a desperate gaze, he added quietly, The magic tool that created the shockwave Can you show it to me?

Davey quietly pulled out the ball of light that was emitting sparks from his Pocket Plane.

Ho This

Hellison looked at everything that made up the ball of light in Daveys hands. He looked between the sparks with squinted eyes. Then, he asked, You Can I ask you a question?

Please ask away.

How did you make this route over here?

Davey answered nonchalantly, Well, some lunatic threatened to burn me in Hellfire if I cant solve the core of this theory in three days, you see.

Hell Hellfire?

Yes.

Davey was not lying. If he were to be honest, there had really been no normal teacher in the Hall of Heroes. Even the meek and timid Death Lord, [Rho Aias], had not been normal.

***

Davey, what are you going to do about all of the CS Nausea Bullets that youve planted all over the Red Tower?

Ah, that?

Davey, who was flying back to Heins Territorys field where the students of Class F should be busy fighting against Rinne, snapped his fingers.

Ping!

A small spark formed at the tip of his fingers.

Well, Ill make it explode.

Goodness The effects of the Mana EMP have not yet disappeared

I told him that I left a small gift for him, you know?

Great Sage Hellison Valestia had lost the game of [Olde] against Davey, and Daveys annoyance over the situation was too strong for him to feel better from their conversation alone.

Youre terrible as always.

Its something that we should discuss next time.

In the first place, you received the list of the students coming from Shakuntala Middle School, no? The names of the Class F students should be there. Since thats the case, shouldnt this be your fault?

Davey paused at Perserques remarks. Then, he said, Ah! I dont care! They should experience that so they can go and exercise!

Thats not even funny. If this turns into an international dispute, then you wont be able to get any advice from Great Sage Hellison Valestia.

Well, Davey just threw everything to the back of his head.