When I was about to die, I proposed to five cruel princesses

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✦ Chapter 24 – The Second Princess, Hedera (7) ✦

Five minutes before the presentation.

Hedera, the Second Imperial Princess and the Head of the Imperial Magic Tower, was furrowing her brow as she flipped through the sale proposal.

"Hmm."

Indeed, her mind was still in turmoil.

— Your Majesty, I will handle this myself.

— I implore you, do not interfere.

She had intended to settle things with Ezekiel in one go, but ultimately failed. The situation left her with an uneasy feeling, like a crumpled letter in her pocket.

At one point, she had thought of leaving when it seemed he was just making excuses. In the end, that decision backfired.

Who would have thought he'd grab her wrist, say it was sincere, and then leave? He was indeed a formidable opponent.

Anyway, it was now time to perform her role as the Head of the Magic Tower.

"Sigh."

The thought of carrying out her duties as the Tower Master elicited a sigh.

'What presentation?'

It was just a place where people beg not to sell off the Tower.

She had experienced countless such occasions. People wearing awkward smiles to impress Hedera, desperate attitudes of those who would lose their jobs if the Tower disappeared…

Until now, she had generously kept the Tower out of a sense of charity, but her circumstances had changed, making it difficult now.

'The Ascension Ceremony.'

In the celestial realm, there exists a grand event called the Ascension Ceremony. It was an incredible opportunity for those with dragon blood to be acknowledged by the living legends, the dragons themselves, and become one of them.

Hedera intended to remove any blemishes beforehand for that day. 'The head of an underperforming Magic Tower' was close to being a stigma.

In fact, thinking of the Ascension Ceremony, there was no reason to listen to this presentation.

It would be right to proceed with the sale without hearing anything.

However.

Despite this, the reason she personally took a seat was.

—I'm sincere.

…Because of that one phrase. She decided to give a chance.

"Let's see what he has."

If the contents of the letter were truly sincere, what could Ezekiel have prepared? Could he present something to fill the gap he never explained, something that would convince Hedera?

Valken, her knight, subtly lowered his posture.

"Your Highness, are you really going to listen to that man's story?"

"Yes."

Of course, if he spouts nonsense, she'll leave immediately.

There was no doubt that she currently holds the upper hand. Just as Hedera was repeating this fact to herself, the murmur in the room ceased. Ezekiel had finally made his appearance.

However, from the start, things deviated from Hedera's expectations.

"I've been thinking…"

She expected a flood of flowery words, but that wasn't the case.

She thought he would be excessively formal and courteous, but he wasn't.

"This kind of Magic Tower, it might be better to just sell it off."

"...."

At first, she doubted her ears.

"...?"

And only after a minute did she realize she had heard correctly.

Because she had heard correctly, she couldn't help but doubt her ears again.

Eventually, a single thought bloomed in her mind.

'What?'

…She couldn't even begin to guess what he was trying to do.

~~••~~••~~

Finally, the main presentation began.

Ezekiel pulled out a new sunweed and chewed it with a crunch.

"As everyone knows, the Imperial Magic Tower is a place for utilizing and researching highly advanced magic. However, I've noticed there are still those who can't even grasp the basics occupying positions here."

The mages' minds began to race. They couldn't understand what the Inspector was trying to say or what his intentions were.

…He was even using informal speech? But this wasn't the time to quibble over that.

As Ezekiel exhaled a short puff of sunweed smoke, ice sculptures began to sprout rapidly from the ground.

"Oh?"

"What? That's me, isn't it?"

Everyone's faces were a mix of surprise and bewilderment.

They were amazed at the creation of such intricate ice sculptures, understanding the extreme difficulty involved. Yet, they couldn't fathom why these sculptures depicted themselves.

Ezekiel continued his presentation, chewing on the sunweed.

"Basic magic: Ice Spear. One scroll is enough."

He unrolled a scroll he had prepared in advance.

Whoosh!

The scroll thrown into the air took the shape of an ice spear and pierced through the air. A textbook example, without any frills.

"But what about an ice spear like this?"

Shwack!

Thunk!

As soon as he finished speaking, something tore through the air and embedded itself in the wall. The movement was too fast for the naked eye to follow.

Its tip was saw-toothed, and its speed was incomparable.

The difference was so extreme that it could hardly be considered the same magic. Well, the ice spear in the scroll was designed with 14 strokes, while Ezekiel's manifestation consisted of a whopping 80 strokes.

"Why is there such an extreme difference in the same magic? Is it simply because it was strengthened? Has anyone seriously explored this?"

No mage had answered yet.

"Then why is the casting time the same? It's common knowledge that the amount of magic formula is proportional to the casting time, so why?"

Still, no one answered.

But now, everyone was focused on Ezekiel's words.

"Of course you wouldn't know. You've been so obsessed with the uniqueness of magic and fixated on new discoveries that you've missed what's truly important."

That's when it happened.

The ice sculptures mimicking everyone began to move. It was as if they had their own consciousness, creating a mystical spectacle.

The mages' mouths hung open in amazement.

"The answer lies in understanding yourself. From now on, you need to observe not magic, but yourselves. Countless times."

The movements of the ice sculptures were a recreation of the intense duels the mages had during Ezekiel's absence.

"...…!"

The mages were shocked and clung to the railings; the instinct to see good magic up close and for as long as possible — wasn't that an irresistible impulse for any mage?

Of course, Hedera still had her brow furrowed.

She didn't want to admit that she was engrossed in this presentation. She wanted to deny even more that she found it interesting…

It was a product of pride and defiance combined.

"The caster is you, yet most of you spend your entire lives just watching others cast magic. How has your life been?"

Ezekiel pointed to one of the moving sculptures.

The sculpture seemed to be unfolding something, likely depicting the use of a scroll.

"This one activated a Falling Rock Summon scroll. Let me apply my understanding to it. It's just a few examples."

Ezekiel unrolled a Falling Rock Summon scroll—

Pop!

—and rocks generated in mid-air began to fall.

"Changing the core element acting as the fundamental stroke. To ice."

He applied his self-understanding to the scroll itself and the falling rocks transformed into massive icicles.

"But it doesn't always have to fall, does it?"

He adjusted the circuit of direction. Reverse. And the falling icicles soared back into the air.

This wasn't telekinesis. It was also an 'application' of the scroll.

"Sometimes, it's more effective to have a greater number."

He split a particular stroke on the scroll, which had been drawn as a straight line, into countless dotted lines. Immediately, the single icicle divided into ten identical ones, which then crashed into the ground.

By integrating his understanding with a simple falling rock scroll, he created effects like Icicle descent, Icicle ascent, and Icicle fragmentation launch, all from a single scroll…

"....."

Hedera unconsciously touched the mask over her mouth. It was a long-standing habit that emerged when she found something intriguing.

And for good reason — Ezekiel's words were purely ideal.

This was absolutely not basic. Not at all.

Why else would the phrase "easier said than done" exist?

While theoretically possible, many things were practically impossible when attempted. If all theories were realizable, there would be no distinction between geniuses and dullards.

Ezekiel's presentation was exactly that.

…Just words. Nothing more, right?

Wouldn't it be far too difficult to actually attempt?

"Alright, let's dissect this scroll next."

However.

If there was someone who made such a theory seem effortless before your eyes.

If there was someone who proved that impossibility wrong, right in front of you.

If there was a person who turned mere words into simple reality, a spark ignites in a mage's heart. That desire to try it at least once.

"Each of you has your own constitution. They're all different, and that uniqueness is what you should cling to. For this, you must observe yourself countless times."

Come to think of it, there were no mirrors in the training ground.

The mages had only been looking at each other all this time.

Everyone in the training ground was already fully focused on Ezekiel. His self-image shown through the ice statues was unfamiliar yet welcome.

The hand cautiously extended towards the magical self that had been so indifferent to oneself.

A reconciliation with oneself, grasped with aspiration and courage. The first handshake.

"...….."

A spark began to ignite in Hedera's heart as well.

Just as it was about to narrow the frequency of friction.

Just as it was about to kindle even a small flame—

"That's all for now."

—Ezekiel suddenly stopped all action.

Simultaneously, all the ice statues in the training ground shattered into vapor. As if nothing had happened.

"Huh?"

"Ah!"

"Just a little more…!"

Instinctive sighs of disappointment were heard here and there.

For a moment, Hedera felt goosebumps.

Because she had clearly just felt a sense of regret.

Currently, she was feeling disappointed?

…Was she that interested in Ezekiel's words?

Everyone except Hedera looked at Zekiel with expressions full of impatience.

They fervently hoped for his presentation to resume. Stopping here was no different from torture.

"Well, this is roughly what I consider basics."

Of course, Ezekiel just casually lit a new sunweed.

"Let's just sell it off. You don't even want to try."

At this, everyone's eyes lit up.

It wasn't a look of defiance, but rather a plea.

The mages were now looking at Ezekiel with expressions that seemed to beg for a chance.

"Why those faces? Am I wrong?"

The mages nodded with their eyes.

But Ezekiel shook his head once more, "Still, it's not possible. This method goes against the principles."

Simultaneously, he let out a chuckle.

A mischievous smile, full of playfulness, yet not at all unlikable.

"Unless the Second Princess changes her mind."

At that moment— all the mages' heads rotated quickly like owls.

Countless eyes landed on the face of the Second Princess, Hedera.

"....."

In that brief instant, Hedera sensed what they harbored.

Unlike before, it wasn't just childish pleading to avoid selling off the scrolls.

What blazed behind their eyes was desire.

Hands itching to manifest magic right away.

They were, at last, true mages.

A sight Hedera had never seen before.

"…Ha."

The princess finally let out a dry laugh.

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