Return of the Back Alley Wizard Chapter 509

Episode 509. You're going to have to get sick.

Academic Balfukart.

One of the top three societies in the Eastern Continent, its main attribute is the Earth Realm.

It was a prestigious academy that had produced many great wizards of the Earth Realm throughout history.

Naturally, the headquarters of that society was in Megarium, which was why Aster had come to Megarium.

… …Because our friend Chenbi was at the academic conference.

however.

“Well, it seems like things have changed a bit.”

“What changed?”

“Well…….”

As he entered Megarium, Aster trailed off at Damian's question and took in the scenery.

When I visited Megarium after a long time, it had changed a lot.

Oh, of course, Megarium, the mecca of magic, changes daily. Whenever a new artifact is developed, Megarium is the first to be introduced.

So, the 'change' that Aster speaks of here does not simply mean the scenery.

Rather than that… … atmosphere.

“Why is it so confusing?”

“Are you confused?”

Damian tilted his head, taking in the scenery. Certainly, hearing those words made him feel a bit uneasy.

No, it was certain.

People walking down the street looked around with stern expressions, and magicians gathered in groups of three or five to chatter looked around even while talking.

The whole street had that kind of atmosphere.

"Certainly, something must have happened. So, what are you going to do?"

"well……."

Aster looked around, taking in the scenery, then shrugged.

"Well, what's the big deal? Let's just fill our bellies first."

“Hmm, okay.”

Although the atmosphere at Megarium was chaotic, I didn't think it mattered.

That would be the case, since Aster's purpose was to see Chenbi.

'Even that… … doesn't seem like it'll stay that long.'

It would be too much of a stretch to just leave after seeing her face today, so I'll probably stay for a few days. It probably won't be more than a week at most.

So, is there any problem?

anyway.

Aster led Shine and Damian to a nearby restaurant.

Since time was a bit vague, I planned to fill my stomach first and then visit the headquarters of the Balfukat Society.

'It's been a full two years, I think?'

It is now the year 379 of the Imperial Calendar.

It was the winter of 376 Imperial Calendar when Chenbi left the Academy, and since they hadn't seen each other in 377 or 378, it had been two full years, and about half a year had passed.

It was a long time if it was long and a short time if it was short… … .

‘… … Now that I think about it, I’ve never sent a letter before.’

I received a few letters through Evelyn, but I only checked the first few and didn't check any more.

Because I'm so out of it.

Fortunately, Damian had been in constant contact with Chenvi, and it was thanks to him that he learned that Chenvi was in Megarium.

'You were originally in a different region, but you were transferred last year?'

Naturally, not all labs within the same academic society were treated the same. It's true that the treatment at headquarters was better than that of labs in other regions.

That is, he was promoted… … .

Considering that the Balfukaert Society was one of the top three societies in the Eastern Continent, one could see how great it was.

The elite of the elite, you could say.

'In a way, it's only natural.'

That's understandable, since he's from Jenion Academy.

While it may have been a dream come true for those from other academies, it was almost like everyday life for those from Jenion.

So, the researcher at the academic society that people looked up to was the same person who used to skip class with me during my school days…

Of course, it wasn't something that was completely natural.

'You must have put in a lot of effort.'

The Zenion Academy is also divided into basic, intermediate, and advanced classes, but those confirmed to enter the headquarters are those in the intermediate class.

Graduates of the basic class must start from other branches and prove their abilities, but about half of them fail to enter the headquarters.

But, you entered the headquarters in just one or two years?

It was a task that required constant effort.

… … Even if it was recommended by Tohoman, one of the nine stars of Blando.

“……How much hair has been lost?”

“Huh? Hair?”

"Oh, I didn't know. Originally, penholders were always bald. Chenbi, now that he's a penholder, is no exception."

“Chenbi is now twenty-one years old.”

“If you think about it, he’s older than you. And he’s four years older than you.”

“But, we graduated in the same year.”

“Oh, yeah.”

“And as they say, a friend once is a friend forever.”

“Oh, yeah.”

Damian seemed unwilling to call Chenvi his brother even if he were to die soon.

Well, well.

'Actually, if you look at all this and that, I'd probably have to bow my head to Damian and call him "Master."

Because there is status above age.

Damian is a nobleman.

Chenbi is a commoner.

And surprisingly, Aster was a poor man who could not even become a commoner.

According to imperial law, he was an undocumented person without even a commoner's ID, but thanks to Brando's guarantee, he was admitted to Zenion Academy, and now he can only prove his identity with a diploma.

Anyway, as we were talking about this and that, the meal ended.

In the meantime, I was able to find out some information through the conversations of the restaurant customers. After listening carefully, they said the following.

first of all…….

'Deculan's movements.'

The third princess, Bellows, had said this before.

– It seems like Dekulan is planning to attack the Kingdom of Hoaxen.

– … … The Kingdom of Hoaksen?

– Of course, for now, we'll be focusing on 'eradicating Salvatum' as if we're making a lot of noise… … but this is solid information.

Was that true?

“I heard that Dekulan is concentrating his forces towards the front line.”

"I heard. But I'm not sure if it'll be okay. Even if it's for the sake of eradicating Salvatium… it'll be a real nuisance to the Kingdom of Hoaxen."

"I don't know. As you know, the current head of the family, Pahern, studied at the academy of the Kingdom of Hoaxen. He's friendly with the head of the Kutlan family, so it's understandable."

Deculan, who had been chasing the Golden Horsemen of Salvatium, had already sent troops to the front lines of the Kingdom of Hoaxen.

The pretext was to 'eradicate Salvatium', but when I recalled what Princess Bellows had said, it seemed to have another meaning.

Here's the question.

‘… …Why on earth?’

From Dekulan's perspective, there was no reason to attack the Hoaxen Kingdom.

There's definitely something to be done… … .

I couldn't tell right away.

In any case, Deculan continued to expand his power by using his fame as an 'Arch Mage' and the cause of 'eradicating Salvatium', and I was personally curious about the Aderian Empire's response.

And besides Dekulan's movements, what else have we found out…?

'Why Megarium is a mess.'

It was a fact that I had to know even if I didn't want to know, but it was none other than the fact that Megarium was in disarray.

Salvation.

Because of those guys.

No, can we say that this is 'because of Salvatum'?

It was a little ambiguous.

“I heard Himaron was captured last night.”

“……Again?”

"Or what? Do you know? Could Himaron really be a remnant of Salvatium? Seeing all the erroneous research he's doing, the suspicion that he's a Golden Horseman is gaining weight."

“You’re saying that because you’re a fake, you’re that stupid?”

"Yeah. It was really suspicious how he kept asking questions about this and that. But if you say he's a remnant of Salvatium, it's understandable."

“Well, yeah, that’s true, but…….”

The wizard who was talking trailed off as if he was not pleased.

“For something like that, doesn’t it seem like only the magicians who rebel against the ‘Hytern’ Society are being arrested?”

“Tsk, who doesn’t know that?”

“But, why…….”

“Just think of those who were captured as foolish remnants of the group.”

"hmm."

therefore.

‘… … It’s something like this.’

I heard that the representative of Megarium's wizards changed after the last 'Monster Wave Incident'.

The wizard representative had a strong symbolic meaning as a representative of the Megarium Society, and that representative was none other than the Master of the Hytern Society.

'But, that Master… is taking advantage of the chaos to take control of Megarium?'

The method was simple.

– Are you a Salvation Army remnant?

Just take a picture and you're done.

It didn't matter whether it was real or fake.

Since the Emperor had declared the 'Eradication of Salvation', anyone suspected of this had to be investigated without exception.

But… … .

'… Didn't you say that the representative of the wizard was just an honorary position? Is something like this possible?'

Of course, it's not that he doesn't have the authority, but it's not like he can wield such absolute power.

It seems like there is more to the story…

After thinking about it that far, Aster shook off the thought.

Because Megarium's circumstances are just Megarium's circumstances.

I just hope things don't get complicated.

“If you’ve finished eating, should I just get up now?”

“I wonder?”

In response to Aster's question, Damian looked at Shine and asked. Shine nodded calmly and answered.

“Let’s do that.”

So, the three of them finished paying and left the restaurant.

Finding the Balfukaert Society building in Megarium wasn't difficult.

The Eastern Continent's Three Great Academies were said to be the largest academies in Megarium, so everyone knew about them…

“……It’s so damn big.”

The building was really big.

It wasn't just big.

“Hiya…….

Even Damian, the son of a wealthy family, gapes at the building as he looks up at it.

The Balfukart Academy building was constructed using Earth magic, as if it were carved from a single, massive rock, just in case anyone thought it was an academy for Earth magicians.

But, Aster was not envious.

'Because I have a tower.'

Right now, this building is taller than the tower, but later the tower will be taller than this building.

So, I'm not jealous.

anyway.

“Okay, let’s go.”

Aster walked proudly with Damian.

Shine went to see the city with Wyvern.

“What brings you here?”

“I came to find a friend.”

“If you tell me your friend’s name, I will put a message inside.”

At the request of the Academy guards, Aster casually mentioned Chenvi's name.

But why is that?

“My name is Chenbi…”

"hmm."

The guard's expression was distorted in a complex and subtle way.

“Please wait a moment.”

The guard said this, turned around, and walked towards the gate. He then rang the bell hanging next to it.

Ding-ding-ding!

'… … ?'

Aster tilted his head.

What bell?

Do you actually deliver news like that these days? You can't just open it and go in and talk…

That was when.

Chuck, chuck chuck—!

bang!

As soon as the door opened, armed soldiers poured out.

The window opened and wizards came rushing out.

In the blink of an eye, Aster and Damian were surrounded by soldiers and wizards, and Aster blinked.

It was then that Damian opened his mouth.

“Chenbi’s trap?”

“……That can’t be.”

"yes?"

Then what?

Damian tilted his head.

Then a loud voice was heard.

It was the guard who rang the bell.

“They are friends of Researcher Chenbi!”

At that voice, the one who seemed to be the representative of the magicians waved his hand.

“Capture him alive.”

At that sight, Damian nodded his head and said, "Aha," as if he roughly understood the situation.

I still don't know what it is.

But one thing was certain.

… … Something strange happened to Chenbi.

“First of all, you guys need to get sick a little.”

The conversation continued after that.