Episode 120. Black Leaves (2)
“Haneke, do you know why there are no traitors in the Assassins?”
In an underground cavern where not a single ray of light could enter, Rubin’s voice rang hollowly with his eyes closed.
It was only natural that Haneke, who was in his inner world, would have no voice to answer.
But where Rubin was standing now, it was so noisy that even if he had a voice, it wouldn’t have been conveyed properly.
Whew!
As Rubin’s sword slices through the air, a crackling sound echoes. Frost gushes from the blood frost, and heat radiates from the black lacquer aura.
A sword that burns hot in sub-zero space.
Rubin’s graceful movements controlling these two opposing forces resonated throughout the enclosed space.
-Well. Why wouldn’t there be a traitor? Could it be because of the ‘black leaf’ that Kuze is making?
“yes that’s right.”
In the inner world, a sword fight was in full swing. Rubin was taking all of Haneke’s swirling attacks. Then his eyes flashed.
He performed the same actions in the real world.
Two-layered movement: inner and real.
It required twice as much concentration and the accumulated fatigue was doubled. However, it was also a way to increase the growth rate.
The two continued their conversation while clashing swords. Like the conversation between the two vassals upstairs, the topic here was also ‘black leaves’.
“There are many elixirs and spells in this world that can make you spit out the truth. But none of them combined can compare to the ‘Black Leaf.’”
Even the assassins who endured countless tortures and drugs during their training eventually confess all the truth during the ‘Black Leaf Stage’.
Because it is a swamp of endless pain and fear that is beyond human endurance.
-Your words don’t make sense.
“Why?”
-You said that anyone can tell the truth in front of the Black Leaf. Then what about the members of the Assassin Sword Family? If someone exploits them and feeds them, wouldn’t the secrets of the Assassin Sword Family be exposed to the whole world?
It was a sharp observation that the secret of the Assassination Swordsmanship had never been revealed before.
At that time, Haneke’s sword dug in as sharply as his intellect.
Although he was a black-lacquered aura just like Rubin, the swordsmanship of the 7-star general was enough to shake the entire inner world.
As expected, the inner world was greatly shaken, causing even Rubin in reality to sway.
“after.”
Rubin, who had just regained his composure, thought Haneke’s point was valid.
If there is a drug that can make anyone tell the truth, it’s likely that it was used on an assassin at some point.
but.
“An assassin who has passed the Black Leaf stage once becomes immune to ‘Push’.”
-What does that mean?
“It means that the moment you try to report or expose, the effect of the inherent black leaf will be manifested.”
The ‘black leaf stage’ is essentially the process of implanting black leaf roots into the person undergoing the test.
The planted roots gauge the depth of the user’s inner self, and plant an invisible blade in the deepest part.
If an assassin is captured during a mission and the truth about the edict or the assassination sword is tested, the blade will come into play.
-Does speaking out mean that it will lead to death?
“Not everyone is like that. Only those who have dark feelings are like that.”
The moment you reveal the secret about the Assassination Sword, your tongue will turn black and you will die.
This was given the name ‘Black Leaf’. Naturally, the only people who knew about this were the members of the Assassin Swordsmanship Family.
-That’s strange.
In the inner world, Rubin’s attacks continue. This time, he uses the swordsmanship of the Assassin’s Sword. He inflicts a wound on Haneke’s cheek, but it is not fatal.
At the same time, in the dark space of the real world, along with Rubin’s blow, the bloody frost created a small whirlwind.
-I’ve investigated several assassination cases at the General’s Office. I personally investigated some of them.
Haneke recalled his memories. At the time, he did not know that it was the work of the Assassin Swordsman, but after his death, thinking back, there seemed to be cases that seemed to be the work of the Assassin Swordsman.
“Some of these may have been cases involving real assassins. The Imperial Order even periodically replaced soldiers from the General’s Office.”
Of course, there were many failed assassination attempts. Each time, the assassin’s body was thoroughly examined.
But no matter how much he thought about it, the assassin’s corpse with a blackened tongue was not in Haneke’s memory. If it had been such a strange report, he would have definitely remembered it.
“It’s simple. Instead of being caught and revealing the truth, he chose death.”
-Is it because of loyalty?
Rubin shrugged. Loyalty, maybe. Maybe not.
If you expose the truth, you will die anyway according to the ‘Black Leaf’. However, you will have to experience the extreme fear and pain you have experienced up until the moment of death.
Rather, it might be better to take one’s own life. For a more comfortable death.
-… How tragic. So, what are we going to do with that medicine?
“I’m going to go see Professor Kaizen. And I need to get information from him. Why he’s in collusion with the Imperial Order, and why he’s trying to kill Per.”
‘Black Leaf’ cannot kill those who do not have a dark side. It only digs out the truth. However, regardless of the dark side, the extreme fear and pain are the same.
If Rubin’s prediction is true, Kaizen might want to kill himself instead.
* * *
The first week of school at magic school passed quickly.
As the weekend approached, the cadets had the freedom to leave Capotini and venture into nearby towns.
Since it was possible to stay out overnight, servants would hang around outside the Matap district to take the children of noble families home.
On the other hand, Professor Kaizen’s lab was still bustling even on the weekend.
“Thompson! Can’t you see that this magic herb has damaged roots?”
“sorry.”
“I don’t know how many times I’ve heard the words “I’m sorry” since Saturday morning!”
Assistant Professor Thompson flinched at Professor Kaizen’s criticism.
Kaizen pursed his lips as if he was going to spit, then roughly tousled his hair. Some of the medicine tools fell to the ground with a clatter as he moved nervously.
Assistant Thompson was gloomy. He had had a hard time since becoming the assistant to the difficult Kaizen, but these days were truly hell.
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After the class in Class C on Tuesday, Professor Kaizen ground his teeth the whole time. Since that day, he has been obsessed with experimenting with drugs as if he were chewing on a magic pill.
I don’t know what it is, but it was clear that he was making a magic potion. However, he didn’t reveal the process of making it even to Thompson.
‘What are you planning to do to all the freshmen again?’
That was all I could guess. Judging from the amount of magic potion that was being restricted, it was more than enough for all the freshmen to take.
“Okay, Thompson.”
“Yes, professor.”
“Because today is the weekend… … .”
Thompson swallowed. Was he finally getting a break from working weekends?
“I’ll give you two hours, so go out and have lunch first.”
“ah…….”
“Why, is it not enough?”
“Oh, no. I’ll be right back.”
“I don’t mean to tell you to hurry. I don’t really enjoy seeing your face all weekend. Come back in exactly two hours, and we can start working on splitting the magic core right away.”
Well then, that’s right. Thompson nodded and left the lab.
Kaizen slumped down on his professor’s chair. Hundreds of bottles of the magic potion he was making were lined up on his workbench.
This time, what he was preparing was a magic potion with a ‘confession’ effect. Anyone who took it would confess to anything.
From crimes committed long ago to sinister thoughts kept in one’s heart.
Furthermore, he was able to make people say fluently whether he was ‘Per Lorenzini’ or whether he knew the name.
Of course, the magic formula contained in the confession potion is not simple. If it contains a formula that far exceeds the user’s resistance, it could leave fatal scars on the body or mind.
To prevent such mishaps, the concentrations of all magic potions had to be varied.
This wasn’t a particular problem, as it was manufactured to match the cadets’ resistance values measured in the first class.
‘The problem is Luden, that guy.’
The only freshman who failed to measure resistance.
Of course, since I measured other students’ stuff, it’s okay if I skip one or two.
‘You cheeky bastard.’
Luden’s challenging attitude came back to him. His arrogant look of relief at the fact that the potion contained only half of its full power.
I really wanted to see him get drunk on magic potion and blurt out all sorts of dirty stories.
“Should we postpone that one for later?”
Kaizen grabbed a bottle in front of him while muttering to himself.
This bottle contained a confession spell. It was a pure, undiluted magic potion.
at that time.
Knock, knock, knock.
“… … ?”
Someone knocked on the laboratory door.
Had Thompson come back yet? Gaizen suppressed his annoyance and stood up.
If that damn assistant teacher was right, I was going to give him a good scolding. He was going to ask why he was knocking, and I was going to give him a good scolding…
“… … ?”
“Hello, professor.”
Kaizen just blinked at the sight of Luden greeting him politely.
“What’s going on, Cadet Luden?”
“I went to the lab and it said you were here.”
“I was doing an experiment. Why are you staying at school on the weekend?”
“Excuse me, can I answer your question inside?”
An attitude that seemed polite but had a hidden arrogance. It was difficult to point it out. I didn’t like it, but I had no choice but to let him in.
Luden’s eyes lit up as he discovered the workbench where the medicine was being prepared.
“You were making a magic potion. Did it already have magic added to it?”
“I’m adjusting the concentration now. Sit in any chair.”
“Yes, Professor, thank you.”
Luden followed the professor’s words obediently. His face was still fascinated by the new sight. He seemed to be purely moved, and his eyes, looking at Kaizen, were filled with admiration.
Well, since he was a student assistant, the process of taking medicine would probably be interesting. Kaizen asked with a snicker.
“What’s going on?”
“I just came here to see if there was anything I could do to help you with class next week as a teaching assistant.”
“Really? It seems you still haven’t figured out our school system, Cadet Luden.”
Luden’s face looked like he didn’t understand. Since this kind of thing wasn’t uncommon, Kaizen thought it would be like that.
“The class schedule is updated every week. This means that classes are not repeated every day. Think about it, there may be classes that you haven’t taken yet.”
“… By the way, the classes for ‘Movement Magic’ and ‘Attack Magic’ haven’t started yet.”
As Kaizen says, classes at Capotini Magic School are reorganized every week.
Just because you had a ‘Potion Making’ class this Tuesday doesn’t mean it will be held at the same time next week. Sometimes, the whole week could be filled with a specific class.
This was the Capotini School of Magic’s method for practical and effective education, rather than formal and convenient education.
“Anyway, there’s no Potions class scheduled for next week. Shouldn’t the class schedule for next week have already been posted in the dorms?”
“I didn’t have time to check.”
“If you understand, then go back now.”
Kaizen stood up from his chair as if his work was over and walked over to his workbench. However, Luden was still sitting on his chair.
“Well, is there anything else you want to say?”
“… Professor, I actually tried making a magic potion once.”
At that moment, the pouch the guy was holding caught his eye. Luden carefully pulled the pouch open. Inside was a small bottle the size of a finger.
“You know how to make potions? Did you learn from someone before you entered school?”
“I just tried it by looking at the textbook.”
“okay?”
Kaizen accepted the bottle. He couldn’t tell with his eyes what kind of magic was in it and how much was in it.
There was a magic tool that could identify it, but unfortunately it was currently in the lab.
You made a magic potion by reading a book without being taught? Gaizen did not believe Luden’s words at face value. The art of potion making was not something that could be easily learned by reading a book.
“What kind of magic is in it?”
“… It’s confession magic.”
Kaizen’s eyebrows twitched. Was it a coincidence?
“What a funny coincidence. I just so happened to be brewing the exact same potion.”
Kaizen picked up the bottle of confession potion in its original state. Then he slammed it down on the desk.
“It’s an odd coincidence.”
“That’s what I’m going to say. Confession magic must have been a difficult spell for you. I can’t believe you engraved it on the magic core.”
“That’s why I brought it to you, Professor. Please check if I have restricted it properly… … .”
Before he could finish speaking, Gaizen sat down obediently across from Luden. Without hesitation, he opened the cap of Luden’s magic potion.
However, he did not drink it right away. Instead, he held out the magic potion he had made towards Luden.
“I remember last class. I didn’t know your resistance level back then.”
Then I shook my magic potion gently. If the one I drank in the last class was 20 levels, this was double that.
The highest level of magic potion that Kaizen can create. It wasn’t even long ago that he had put all his effort into imprinting the confession magic. His mana ring was still recovering.
“That’s good. While I’m here, I might as well check your resistance levels.”
A frightened expression appeared on Luden’s face. Without even dreaming that it was an act, Gaizen smiled bitterly.
“Don’t worry, Cadet Luden. There won’t be any dangerous magical effects like last lesson. How about trying it?”
