The Modern Founding Chronicles of the Returned Demon King

The Modern Founding Chronicles of the Returned Demon King

Episode 45: Doppelganger (7)

“Why did you manifest magic in such a way?”

While observing the magicians’ presentations, I narrowed my eyes. I had attempted to learn some magic from them, but the level was beyond my grasp.

“If your intention was truly to spray flames, you should have erupted them from a single point like an explosion. However, you shot flames in a straight line from multiple points from the beginning. Utilizing dispersed magical power in that manner is not only inefficient but also challenging to achieve proper destructive power.”

“I-I apologize!”

What on earth is this? I find myself teaching them instead.

Although I wanted to criticize the previous magicians too, they remained silent because they didn’t understand Chinese and Japanese. Of course, there was an interpreter through the device in my ear, but speaking was a different matter.

It seems my knowledge of magic far surpassed the average. I shouldn’t have bothered attending such a magic presentation in the first place.

‘What a waste of time.’

If I had known, I would have killed ‘those guys’ when I first entered this place. I kept quiet, thinking that causing any more disturbance might lead to the suspension of the magic presentation itself. However, during that moment of sighing,

“Hello. I’m the head of the Mass School, Jang Do-hyun.”

A person of interest ascended the stage.

“Normally, I wouldn’t showcase important magic here, but I hope that by presenting this will be actively researched, it may be of help to humanity.”

“…Mass School Head. Is it really your position to do that?”

“Yes, Illusion School Head. However, I judged that I couldn’t complete this alone, so I decided to share it with the hope that it would be more beneficial.”

“I see. If it’s really worth it after hearing it, I’ll offer my assistance too.”

“Yes, thank you.”

After a bow from Do-hyun, he continued speaking.

“What I’m about to present is ‘Spatial Magic’.”

The magicians buzzed with excitement at those words.

I was the first to inquire.

“Spatial magic?”

“Yes, actually, I was inspired by the spatial ability that Mr. Seo-jun used during the ‘S-Rank Gate Collapse Incident’. Originally, I should have received permission from Mr. Seo-jun first, I apologize.”

So, interpreting it as [Magic Path]. This is intriguing, a method even I hadn’t considered.

“I will judge the treatment based on the value of the content.”

“Yes, then let me start by explaining the interpretive aspects….”

As Do-hyun continued the explanation, he glanced at me. It was a visible action, given that I had criticized every magician who presented before.

But I remained silent, attentively listening to the explanation. The more I concentrated, the more engrossed I became.

Everything was new. Although I understood it with [Alter’s Understanding], I hadn’t found a way to improve that magic further. The ability was limited to using the Alter’s Understanding, so I couldn’t discover what Alter didn’t know.

“…The progress so far is opening a small portal at a distance of 10 meters.”

As Do-hyun inserted one arm into a basketball-sized blue portal, his hand emerged from another blue portal 10 meters away.

Upon closer inspection, there was a clear difference between my ability and his. While [Magic Path] could be expanded freely at any time, his magic was fixed, connecting specific points.

Therefore, that magic would be more useful to me. [Magic Path] was a role I couldn’t always keep open, and ‘Teleportation Between Territories’ in [Territory Effects Bestowal] could only move between registered territories.

But once that magic was perfected, traveling to and from the floating island would be convenient, and interaction with other countries would also be easier.

After finishing the presentation, Do-hyun turned to me.

“Um… What did you think…?”

“I won’t mind.”

“T-Thank you!”

Indeed, it wasn’t a waste of time.

Soon, as Do-hyun descended from the stage, a voice flowed from the speakers.

“Now, we have the magic presentation by Lee Seo-jun of the Twilight Guild.”

I stood up and walked towards the stage.

Now it was time to deal with those who hadn’t dared to flee.

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Seo-jun ascended the stage and Do-hyun took a seat in the front row.

‘Fortunately, no criticism this time.’

Honestly, he was nervous. he was afraid Seo-jun might point out problems like the magicians who presented just before.

However, he carefully watched the presentation and overlooked that his magic drew inspiration from Seo-jun’s ability.

‘But how does he possess that level of magical comprehension?’

As the tension that had been building up continued to ease, a sudden question arose. Seo-jun’s insight and understanding of the magic he displayed were at a level that surpassed not only himself but even the heads of other schools.

It felt as if there was a formidable master of magic in front of him.

‘Lee Seo-jun must have been a skillful ability hunter…’

In reality, the magicians made no objections to his observations. If there had been any gaps in his remarks, he would have been criticized in turn.

But the fact that there was no such criticism implied that there was no one here who could catch up to his magical understanding.

The distraction was abruptly cut off when Seo-jun opened his mouth.

“Magic, in the end, is nothing more than arranging certain ‘magic power’ in a certain ‘form’.”

A voice that instantly captured the attention of the crowd.

His firm voice, as if stating that my words were the absolute truth, swept everyone away.

“All of you have been setting a number called ‘Magic Power’ first and then substituting a form, calling the result ‘magic’.”

What he was talking about was the most basic knowledge of magic, but the crowd was more focused than ever, as if everyone were leaning in to hear a royal decree.

“But true progress begins with breaking that basic framework. The magic I’m about to present is about shattering that framework.”

As his noble voice dominated the space, the magicians buzzed with excitement.

As he mentioned earlier, magic is the result of arranging a certain Magic Power into a certain form after setting a specific Magic Power. To break that framework? It was an unimaginable approach at the moment.

“I will, on the contrary, construct the form first and then infuse the Magic Power corresponding to the magic I want to manifest into it.”

A quiet silence flowed. It wasn’t born from coldness but from shock.

“In other words, to use a mathematical analogy, it’s not about setting numbers first but about constructing the equation. In doing so, the resulting value can vary greatly depending on the numbers assigned to that equation.”

“Um, excuse me, Mr. Seo-jun… That’s undoubtedly a method some top-level magicians have considered. But it seems impossible to achieve, doesn’t it?”

Ha Seong-woo, who was in front, asked Seo-jun.

In response to that question, Seo-jun nodded.

“Of course, this form requires a very delicate operation, as it shouldn’t be disturbed by any nature of Magic Power. However, if that operation succeeds.”

Seo-jun met the intrigued gazes with a spark in his eyes.

“It can become any answer, a beautiful equation completed.”

Every magician attending the gathering whispered among themselves.

…Certainly, if the skill to fulfill that hypothesis is there, simply infusing different Magic Power could result in an immediately manifested magic when needed.

But, as Seo-jun mentioned, constructing a form that can withstand that variable is challenging. Magicians didn’t gather Magic Power first and then form, there was a suitable form for Magic Power, just as a box was needed, not a balloon, to contain a needle.

“And I’ve already completed that equation.”

…What?

In disbelief, Jang Do-hyun raised his head and stared at Seo-jun. The others around showed no particular reaction.

As if Seo-jun thought it would be quicker to show than tell, he moved his hands.

“First, the form construction.”

Sssll-

From his hand, black mist billowed forth. A force different from Magic Power. There was a moment of doubt about its nature, but it was only momentary. What was crucial now was what was visible to the eye.

Guluk-guluk-

The black mist condensed from Seo-jun’s palm, forming something. Inside a thin and small black balloon, things seemed to be trying to pop out intensely. However, it only rippled, and the form itself didn’t collapse.

It was unimaginable how much understanding was packed into that place.

The wonder didn’t stop there.

“And when Magic Power is infused into this form, it becomes like this.”

As Seo-jun infused energy into the form, it instantly transformed into a crow.

“Something like this is also possible.”

The crow melted, losing its form, and flowed like black liquid onto the ground.

The shadow-like magic, shortly after descending from the stage, swiftly swept over the seats.

The shadow that reached beneath the feet of a certain magician surged up like a volcano.

“Uwaaah!”

“What the heck is this!”

In the next moment, the volcano transformed into a giant claw, gripping two magicians.

They were familiar faces, the heads of the Japanese and Chinese schools, respectively.

Silence fell abruptly in the face of the unexpected situation, and everyone wore puzzled expressions.

And a moment later.

“You! What on earth is this!”

“Could you please release our school heads!”

Magicians from their respective factions, realizing the situation, accused Seo-jun in different languages.

However, despite the storm of voices, Seo-jun remained obstinate.

“Shut up and take a closer look at them. They’re not the ones you knew.”

Seo-jun looked at the two magicians captured by the black claw.

“I’m still here, and you didn’t even try to escape. Arrogant, just like the reputation your master has. If you had escaped, you could have endured until the end of this presentation.”

There seemed to be no need to translate Seo-jun’s words to them. Just like with Ahn Seo-jin before, as their appearance began to change,

“Kit! I thought for sure they wouldn’t recognize us…!”

“Is there really a way for us to be recognized…!”

The transformed red demons, their faces distorted, muttered in Japanese and Chinese.

The sight of demons speaking Earth’s languages was incredibly creepy.

“Ha. School heads…?”

“T-this can’t be… The school heads were doppelgangers.”

Everyone confirming their true identities recoiled. It was only natural, discovering that someone presumed to be human was, in fact, a doppelganger warranted such a reaction.

“He can’t use magic too…”

Muttered Seo-jun, reaching towards that direction. He casually grasped his hand, as if manipulating the claw that held the demons.

“With this, three down.”

Kwaah-!

As the claw tightened, the red skin of the demons gradually swelled, and the demons’ desperate screams echoed.

With a single gesture from Seo-jun, the demons were in agony.

Poof!

Eventually, the claw crumpled the demons, and fragments of their bodies, accompanied by droplets of blood, soared into the sky.

Amidst everyone staring dumbfounded at the shower of red, a calm voice seeped in.

“That’s it.”

With that, the magic presentation came to an end.

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The magicians who attended the magic presentation couldn’t shake off the shock, thanks to Seo-jun’s unique magic manifestation and the revelation of the doppelgangers’ true identities.

On the other hand, Seo-jun exited the building as if nothing had happened.

Jang Do-hyun pushed aside the senior magicians gathered around him and followed Seo-jun.

“Mr. Seo-jun!”

Beneath the setting sun, casting its golden waves, Jang Do-hyun called out to Seo-jun.

“…What is it?”

“Oh, it’s just that there’s something I’d like to ask.”

“Speak.”

He took a moment to breathe. As this time was precious, I carefully chose mywords.

“Was the magic I showed dazzling?”

His ears tingled for no reason. To ask if his magic was dazzling… a sentence whose purpose and meaning couldn’t be fathomed.

When Seo-jun turned completely, Jang Do-hyun couldn’t bring himself to meet his gaze and lowered his head.

Soon, Seo-jun spoke.

“Well, I don’t like to talk nonsense. I can’t say the magic was dazzling when it wasn’t perfected.”

“Ah…”

A rapid blush swept across his face. Honestly, didn’t he know it himself? As he said, there’s no way an imperfect magic would be dazzling. In his eyes, it must have been mundane and unremarkable.

“But still.”

He raised his head at the calm, soothing tone. In that moment, his eyes widened significantly. His cloak swirled in a direction due to some wind, and amid the light settling on the ground, his nobility became evident.

Within the landscape where every element seemed to worship him, he faintly smiled.

“Someday, won’t you shine brightly?”

His figure, as radiant as the sun, made it difficult to open my eyes.

“Jang Do-hyun, I found your magic interesting. So, how about researching that magic further under my guidance?”

After a moment of bewilderment and asked.

“.…Are you telling me to join the Twilight Guild?”

“Yes. That includes the magicians following you.”

In other words, it was an invitation for all of the Mass School to join the Twilight Guild. It might have sounded unreasonable if someone else said it, but at this moment, it seemed like something to be grateful for.

So, he asked.

“This might be the same question as before, but why do you go this far for me? Is there no reason this time too?”

“No, this time there is a definite reason. Your magic shown this time is something I need. In other words, you’ve proven your worth to me.”

“Ah…”

As if signaling that there would be no further discussion, Seo-jun turned away.

“Well then, wait.”

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After the magic presentation, I returned to the Twilight Guild building, which had now become the communication office.

The reason I walked all the way here was to connect this place with the Floating Island using [Magic Path].

Since I could deactivate it at any time, except when I needed it, I decided to leave it here for now.

And right now, there was someone else who would use it.

“Mr. Seo-jun.”

With a graceful jawline and a black ponytail, Kim Eun-ha had come to find me.

(To be continued in the next part)