WeTried Translations

Translator: Coughing Baby

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◈ The Inept Mage’s Infinite Regression

Chapter 11

If he had seen the gun, he should have realized that Ethan was hiding something from him. And with that gun, Ethan had taken down a demon from the Mage Court. People generally believed that a single demon possessed at least as much power as a mage, if not more. A mere magic academy student could not handle one so easily.

If people heard of a magic student strong enough to take down a demon in one strike with a hidden power, the conversation would go like this:

<They’d restrain him and prepare to seal his powers. If he resisted, they would kill him.>

But that didn’t happen.

Ethan followed Rivielton and asked, "Professor Rivielton."

Without turning around, Rivielton answered, "What is it, Ethan?"

"Where are we going?"

Rivielton didn’t answer. Instead, he quickened his pace, glancing back and forth as he went. They were on the first floor of the main building, and the demons chasing them had disappeared around the corner. Ahead, new presences could be felt.

Rivielton headed for the staircase leading up from the central corridor of the main building. After climbing three floors, they reached the spiral staircase leading to the central spire. It would be difficult to escape now, but the demons would likely search each floor first, giving them some time to hide.

Rivielton, noticing Ethan’s heavy breathing, slowed to a walk and said, "Want to know something?"

"Huh?"

Rivielton chuckled as if remembering something funny. "I don’t know whether you’ll believe this, but I’ve been keeping an eye on you since you enrolled."

"Really? There are so many talented students. Or… were you worried? That I’d bully other students like a thug?"

"Of course not," Rivielton said. "It’s because your magical talent is… lacking, to say the least. When you enrolled, people said the ‘Dora’ of the Charasen family was a complete mess. So, of course, I looked into you, and you didn’t seem much like a noble, let alone a mage. Knights, for example, have a certain demeanor, speech, and posture, learned from a young age."

Ethan, who was often criticized by Arca for his behavior, felt his face grow hot despite his predicament. "So?" he asked.

"I thought you resembled me when I was young."

Surprised, Ethan asked, "Me? I resemble you?"

His surprise was understandable. Not just anyone could become a professor at the magic academy. Being a noble wasn’t enough to secure the role. Honor alone didn’t qualify someone to teach others. The position of a magic academy professor was determined by the Mage Council. The prospective professor required both achievements and skills recognized by the elder mages.

"Before I could even speak, my grandfather’s debts caused our estate to be sold. After my father hung himself from the oak tree in front of the mansion, I was left with a debt I could never repay in my lifetime. To prevent my family and myself from being sold into slavery, I had to work. I didn’t have many choices, so I alternated between adventuring and mercenary work, learning the sword and magic on the streets. Neither skill was properly taught—it was just a mishmash of techniques and tricks. My size helped, allowing me to work as a porter as well, but I was always slow, earning me the nickname ‘Slowpoke.’ "

"I can’t imagine that."

"It took a long time to even get the chance to follow a northern hunter and learn the sword."

Ethan smiled bitterly. No matter how he looked at it, his hardships paled in comparison to Rivielton’s. His talent too. Rivielton eventually made a name for himself defending the Great Wall against beastmen. While the pain couldn’t be erased, Rivielton’s experiences had now become the stuff of heroic tales.

Rivielton slowed his pace and glanced back. "Don’t tell anyone what I’m about to say."

"Huh?"

"When I was struggling, I considered delving into dark magic."

"Really?"

Rivielton nodded. "I lacked the courage, though, and gave up halfway. You’re better off than I was back then."

"Dark magic is a crime."

"Everything is different when you’re desperate."

The top of the spire was used as a storage room. Currently, it was filled with wooden crates and dust. Rivielton circled the round spire, occasionally peeking through the opaque windows.

After a moment, Rivielton turned to Ethan. "If someone can’t control dark magic and commits a crime, then yes, that’s a sin. Wielding power you can’t handle warrants severe punishment, don’t you agree?"

"I agree."

"But the same goes for magic, swords, and even fists and words. In my eyes, you haven’t done anything that deserves this response. All of this is unjust."

Ethan nodded. "If you see it that way…"

Rivielton placed a hand on Ethan’s shoulder. "I know a dark mage."

"…What?"

"Isn’t it obvious? Not all dark mages are evil, that’s why I can trust you. That person has the ability to protect you."

"Is that okay, though?" Ethan asked. "What about you, Professor Rivielton? The school won’t allow it either."

Rivielton interrupted, "The Empire’s movements have been suspicious for years. Bain is just the tip of the iceberg—there are many pro-Empire factions within Yurmus Magic Academy. This incident isn’t just about you learning dark magic. This was bound to happen eventually, you just happened to be the trigger. The Empire wants to use this incident to exert more influence over Yurmus. The Mage Council opposes it. If you successfully escape, the Mage Council can feign ignorance, so your escape helps both me and the academy."

Ethan nodded. "But… how do we escape from here?"

Rivielton, as if not understanding the question, shook his head once, then smashed the spire’s window with his scabbard. After knocking out a dozen glass shards, he jumped down.

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"Professor?"

Ethan looked down and saw Rivielton standing on the roof of the main building.

Further away, demons were climbing onto the roof.

"Professor, demons are coming up on that side of the roof."

"Come down. They’re chasing you from behind too."

Ethan took a second to listen and realized it was true. Hearing footsteps ascending the stairs, Ethan quickly jumped down after Rivielton.

He used the mana in his body to strengthen his legs, minimizing the impact on his ankles. It almost felt as if he weighed less.

"Keep moving forward to the stables. Just follow my lead."

"Okay."

"You won’t need to use that dark magic."

Ethan was starting to realize that Rivielton never spoke idly.

Knowing the demons were planning a pincer attack, Rivielton charged first. The demons, clearly not underestimating the professor, approached with blood dripping from their hands. One hand held a sword, while the other used one of the spells Moraiotz had used earlier, turning blood into a spike. The combined assault from three demons seemed impossible for Rivielton to evade.

Clang!

But Rivielton deflected each attack in a single motion, then grabbed one demon by the side, spun, and flung them into another demon. He severed the knee of the remaining demon, who fell to the ground before being kicked off the roof.

Before Ethan could marvel at the feat, Rivielton shouted, "Duck!"

Ethan reflexively ducked as a blood arrow shot overhead.

Rivielton grabbed Ethan’s collar and pulled him closer. By the time Ethan rolled and rose, the four demons behind them had already been dealt with. One was sliding off the roof, another’s arm had been severed, one was screaming while flying away, and the last was tangled with the armless demon, rolling off the roof.

Demi asked, <Are mages of this level common?>

Rivielton hit the remaining demon’s shin, forcing the demon to the ground, then reached out to Ethan.

"Let’s go."

"Ah, right."

The two ran across the roof of the main building. One demon tried to snipe Rivielton from the spire, but Rivielton picked up and threw a tile, knocking the demon out.

As they descended toward the stables, another ten or so demons appeared from behind, surrounding them.

The lead demon shouted, "Stop, Rivielton Fabier! Hand over the student!"

"What if I refuse?"

"Do you think Yurmus’s reputation will protect you forever?"

"Yurmus isn’t protecting me. I’m protecting Yurmus."

"…You’ll regret that choice."

As Rivielton gripped his sword, the lead demon stepped back and shouted, "→Vibra!"

The surrounding demons chanted in unison.

"→Vibra."

"→Cassadou!"

"→Cassadou."

The spell wasn’t aimed at Rivielton or at Ethan.

From behind the stables, green light erupted, and a wild boar the size of a house appeared. Its back was covered in moss, and its tusks were taller than a person. This was a summoning spell.

"A giant boar. Nasty creature."

The boar snorted aggressively toward Rivielton, and the demons quickly backed away, not wanting to get caught in the crossfire.

Ethan reached for his Glock 45, but Rivielton shook his head.

"Looks like that won’t be enough."

Rivielton crouched on one leg and extended the other, assuming a stance Ethan had never seen before.

"Ethan."

"Yes?"

"I wanted to teach you more swordsmanship, but there’s no time. But I can show you one technique, at least."

"What do you mean…"

Rivielton said, "Watch. This is the Hunting Sword."

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