Overpowered Archmage Doesn’t Hide His Talent

Chapter 64 [ ▶ A Lot of Reporters Are Really Crowded Here. ]

—

Engrave the mark.

Flan had clearly said so.

‘How dare a mere human…’

Maiev’s eyes twitched.

From the beginning, the very act of demanding subservience from others was terrifying. It meant living forever in a subordinate position.

And yet, Flan was human by birth. A human, a creature that vampires considered nothing more than a plaything.

She barely managed to move her lips.

“A subservient contract… is… no, it cannot be.”

Forcing herself to use formal speech caused her tongue to twist. Maiev struggled to continue speaking.

“I must attend the vampires’ executive meetings, and I have to see the Princess…”

“So?”

“I can’t do that with the mark engraved… I just can’t.”

Being bound and subjugated to someone else—she had never even considered such a thing.

She started pulling out reasons to persuade Flan, one by one.

“The others won’t like it… A human who subjugated a vampire would be seen as arrogant, and other vampires would surely retaliate.”

“It sounds like you’re calling me arrogant.”

Maiev started to sweat.

“No, that’s not it.”

“I’m not too concerned.”

“…You’re not concerned? About this?”

Maiev opened her eyes wide, but Flan simply murmured indifferently.

“Isn’t deception your specialty? A vampire, someone bound to me, the President of the First District Academy… Live with all these identities.”

“…”

“If you’re a master of disguise, that’s the least you can do.”

She had nothing to say. But even if she had nothing to say, she had to say something.

“That doesn’t make any sense…”

“If this doesn’t make sense…”

Flan’s voice, sharp as a blade, cut Maiev’s words off without mercy.

“Then there’s no reason for you to stay alive.”

She didn’t think those words were wrong.

If she didn’t align with Flan’s interests, there would be no reason for him to keep her alive.

“Well, I guess there’s no choice.”

Maiev tightly shut her eyes.

‘I might as well die.’

At first, the thought of dying was purely terrifying. But now, it wasn’t.

She had made up her mind. If she had to stay alive by being subjugated to a human, she’d rather die.

So, she could remain calm.

“Just kill me.”

“Are you serious?”

“Yes.”

Maiev slowly nodded.

“I’m serious, so just kill me.”

“I don’t think you’re really serious.”

Flan quietly placed his index finger on Maiev’s forehead.

“…!”

Maiev’s body convulsed violently.

“…”

She saw it. No, she felt it.

A darkness as black as pitch.

She instinctively tried to close her eyes to avoid it, but even if she gouged out her eyeballs, the darkness would remain.

A suffocating oppression that wrapped around her entire body. A searing pain that pierced her heart like dozens, hundreds of blades. A chilling pressure that made her break out in cold sweat, as if a blue blade was pressed against her throat.

Her animal instincts, the ones that let her live and breathe, were telling her.

That this was ‘death.’

“…P-Please, spare me.”

A single tear rolled down Maiev’s cheek.

Her eyes had already lost their focus. The last resistance of a living creature was her muttered pleas.

“Spare me, please, spare me.”

Flan removed his finger from Maiev’s forehead, and she collapsed flat onto the ground.

“T-Thank you. Thank you so much…”

Thank you. The words came out automatically.

She didn’t even know why she was saying them. It was just that her instincts compelled her to.

Hic.

Now, she even started to hiccup.

“Ugh… This…”

Fear, relief, tears, hiccups… All of it blocked her breathing, and Maiev clutched her chest tightly while still lying flat on the floor.

“Uweeeck… Hah, huh…”

In the end, she vomited onto the floor.

‘What… What the hell… What the hell is this?’

She couldn’t believe it.

Was ‘observation’ important in the life of an illusionist? Because it was necessary to create a false world based on what was observed and then add more imagination to it.

“Hah… Hah… Ugh…”

What Maiev had just witnessed was ‘death.’

It hadn’t actually happened. But could he really show such a scene with just imagination? She couldn’t believe it.

‘A human… How could a human…’

The fact that she couldn’t resist Flan was clear, at least.

If she attacked him with the determination to die, Flan would gladly give her something worse than death.

“Still confused? Then how about this, for the thousandth time.”

Flan extended his finger again.

“W-Wait, wait a moment─!”

Maiev, terrified, pressed her forehead to the floor.

“Please wait… Please just wait a moment.”

She felt as if she had already experienced a thousand deaths. If she saw that vision one more time… She would truly lose her mind.

“I-I’ll do it.”

“What will you do?”

“I’ll… make the subservient contract.”

A red cross-shaped mark appeared on the back of Maiev’s hand.

Her violently trembling hand reached out to Flan’s feet. As she touched him, the mark blazed, leaving behind a tattoo-like imprint.

Now, with this, everything should be over.

“No.”

But Flan shook his head.

“A contract alone isn’t enough. There’s an additional clause.”

“…?”

Maiev’s mouth opened in disbelief.

“Just a moment ago…”

“Your attitude was too arrogant, so the situation has changed.”

“…”

Maiev’s whole body began to tremble. It wasn’t just because of fear.

“I guess the only way to fix that attitude is for you to die.”

“I-I’ll do it! I’ll follow the conditions!”

At Flan’s words, Maiev started banging her head on the floor.

She now covered her face instead of her chest. Her entire body was already trembling.

‘Being utterly defeated by a human… and making a subservient contract…’

Her lower lip, which she had bitten, started to bleed. The taste of blood was fishy, and it made her feel disgustingly miserable.

“Let’s determine what you should do first.”

With a swoosh, papers stacked up neatly beside Maiev’s head. They were the evaluations Flan had written.

“Cancel all the seals and submit these as the results for the midterm evaluation to the academy.”

“Yes.”

“And since some civilians died because of the vampires… take responsibility and resign from the position of President. At least that’ll be one less thing to fake.”

“Yes…”

“I’ll take care of the *Dream*. The rest, check through this.”

Another paper was placed beside her head.

“Well then, I’ll be going first.”

Step— step—

When the sound of his steady footsteps finally faded away, Maiev slowly lifted her body.

She still didn’t have the energy to stand. Still sitting, Maiev looked over the papers next to her.

[ ]

Flan (Party A) and Maiev (Party B) hereby enter into the following contract.

Start Date: Upon signing the contract

Place of Employment: Not applicable

Duties: Assisting with the Hunting Competition training, reviewing theses, managing accounts.

Wage: Life

Paid Leave: Granted upon death

“What the… What is this…”

Her hand trembled uncontrollably. The paper shook so much that she couldn’t even read the letters.

At the same time, the blank space on the paper filled in.

[ Slave Contract ]

“Ah…”

Her mind went completely blank.

—

[ Casualties reported in Saphora… Even the unpublished magic tool *Dream* was lost. ]

[ ‘I take full responsibility.’ The President of the First District Academy, President Shusia, resigns. The estimated compensation alone is staggering… ]

With a flood of articles pouring in, the students safely returned to Merhen Academy.

“Should I be happy about this or not… We’re going to be staying at the tower’s hotel again.”

Becky scratched her cheek.

It was a relief that there were no deaths among the staff or academy students, but… For safety reasons, the A-rank students were forced to stay at the tower’s hotel tonight.

In fact, the word ‘forced’ hardly did justice to the facility’s quality. Every aspect of its internal structure and amenities impressed the students.

“Three people to a room this time, huh.”

The girl glanced around. It was fine to share a room with Yusia, but the problem was Trixie. Honestly, she was scared.

“Oh~ Becky, just unpack your things here.”

Yusia greeted Becky with a bright smile. Becky awkwardly waved back.

Meanwhile, Trixie didn’t even glance at Yusia or Becky. She just silently stared out the window, seemingly lost in her thoughts.

“Oh… Sure. Thanks.”

“Are you feeling okay, Becky?”

“Not at all. Who came up with this terrifying and horrific evaluation system?”

Becky shivered.

When she first encountered the anomaly at the exposition hall, she genuinely thought a disaster had occurred.

“I was really shocked too. To think all of this was just an evaluation…”

“Merhen Academy is really something. Or should I say Saphora?”

Shaking her head in disbelief, Becky suddenly noticed the three scrolls clutched in Yusia’s arms.

“What’s that?”

“Hmm?”

“The scrolls you’re holding.”

“Oh~ these!”

Yusia smiled brightly.

“These are the results of the midterm evaluation.”

“The results were sent on scrolls… Why are they so

thick?”

“They include the evaluations too!”

“They included evaluations?”

Yusia nodded.

“Yes. If only the grades were listed, it would be difficult for the students to improve on their own!”

Becky, remembering what had happened in Saphora, swallowed nervously without realizing it.

All she could recall was hastily casting spells and desperately running away… She was already afraid of what kind of evaluation was written.

“G-Give me mine… I’ll look at it later, by myself.”

Becky extended her hand awkwardly, but Yusia tilted her head.

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“Uh… I’ll look at it alone. Not now, later.”

“That won’t do.”

Yusia’s firm attitude was bewildering. Becky was shocked.

“What do you mean it won’t do? It’s my grades.”

“I mean you can’t look at it alone. Can’t you see this?”

Yusia pointed to the corner of the scroll. There were two blank squares.

“You have to show it to at least two people and get their confirmation. Only then will it be counted towards your grades.”

“W-W-What?”

Becky jumped up in shock.

“Why?”

“Maybe they want us to discuss what we need to improve on together… Isn’t that it? Anyway, we have to look at it together!”

“Nooo… I don’t want to…”

Becky screamed in frustration, ruffling her hair furiously.

“It’s better to check quickly and get it over with. Oh, Trixie, come over here too!”

Trixie nodded slightly.

The three scrolls were laid out in a row on the floor.

“…”

And the three girls sat down in front of them. Yusia placed her hand on one of the scrolls.

“Well… Let’s start by checking this one!”

The scroll was heavier than it appeared. Yusia checked the name on the one in her hand.

Becky.

“First up is Becky’s.”

“Ugh…”

Becky made a dying sound before they had even started reading.

[ Becky ]

▶ Your understanding of the Ice Element is commendable.

“Huh…? What, there’s actually a compliment?”

Becky snatched the scroll from Yusia’s hand. She started reading the rest with newfound confidence.

▶ You were too shaken in unexpected situations. This is not due to a lack of talent but rather a lack of confidence.

▶ Your output process is pathetic. Refer to 『Study on Output and Related Factors』 in Library Section D, page 32.

…(omitted)

“Haha…”

Becky let out a sound that was somewhere between a laugh and a cry, as if she was about to crumble like ash blown away by the wind.

It started with praise, but everything that followed was nothing but harsh criticism.

The part where it called her ‘trash’ especially struck a chord with Becky. It almost brought her to tears.

Yusia gently patted Becky’s shoulder.

“B…Becky, it’s okay. It seems this is how Saphora usually grades students.”

“N-No matter how it’s done… Is it normal to call a student ‘trash’?”

“You’re right… It’s beyond blunt, it’s almost insulting.”

“That’s what I’m saying! Even Flan doesn’t talk like this!”

Yusia tilted her head.

“Wouldn’t Lord Flan say something like this?”

“Yeah, I regretted it as soon as I said it.”

Yusia turned to Trixie.

“I think Trixie would agree! Doesn’t this sound like something Lord Flan would say?”

“Don’t talk about Flan.”

Trixie’s voice was as cold as ice. She let out a deep sigh.

The sound of her sigh filled the room.

“Thanks to him, I can’t even live my life normally.”

“…?”

“…?”

Becky and Yusia’s eyes widened.

A moment of silence fell over the room.

After a while, Yusia awkwardly picked up the next scroll.

“A-Anyway~ This one’s mine~”

[ Yusia ]

▶ Your mana manipulation isn’t completely hopeless.

▶ Your circuit construction is pathetic. Refer to 『Circuit Construction Studies』.

…(omitted)

“Oh, I got praised for my mana manipulation!”

“…?”

Becky looked at Yusia with a baffled expression.

“Yusia. You seem… happy?”

“Yes~ Because I got praised!”

“Th-That’s praise? Not completely hopeless. That’s praise?”

“Yes!”

Yusia nodded and smiled brightly.

“Then how about this? Did you see this?”

Becky pointed to the second item with her index finger. It blatantly called her circuit construction ‘pathetic.’

It wasn’t that she disliked Yusia; Becky was simply amazed by this white-haired girl’s boundless positivity.

“Oh, my circuit construction is indeed weak…”

“I-I see.”

Becky scratched her cheek.

“Sigh.”

At that moment, Trixie sighed.

Trixie, who hadn’t said a word until now, finally spoke.

“They’re not wrong. Why are you making such a fuss?”

“Ugh… But still…”

“…”

Becky and Yusia’s expressions turned gloomy.

What was written in the evaluation was true, and what Trixie said was also true. They couldn’t really argue with it.

“Just accept it. Is that so hard?”

After adding that one comment, Trixie picked up the last scroll.

“Hmph.”

She unrolled the scroll without much emotion.

She didn’t expect any negative feedback, but even if there was, she would just accept it and move on.

“…?”

But a moment later, all three girls’ eyes widened in shock.

“What…”

Trixie’s hands began to tremble.

“What the…”

The trembling soon spread throughout her entire body.

[ Trixie ]

▶ The direction of your magic is completely wrong.

…(omitted)

—

The next morning.

I greeted the morning without having slept at all. It wasn’t that I couldn’t sleep, I simply didn’t feel like it.

*Dream.*

It was purely because of this magic tool. I slowly ran my hand over it, shaped like a small picture frame.

At the same time, I felt my heart thump heavily.

I knew exactly why I was so excited.

Suddenly, I recalled my research on Ancient Runes from the previous world.

The missing characters here and there, the limits imposed on the progress of the research.

But now, within this *Dream,* I found traces of Ancient Runes I had never seen before.

‘If I find all the Ancient Runes…’

A new horizon would surely open up. Even the research I had done with just the revealed characters was immense.

Time, space, dimensions… I would finally be able to touch areas that I couldn’t even approach before.

If that happened, the range of choices for my actions would expand significantly.

I inhaled and exhaled, feeling a surge of joy.

No, I trembled with excitement at the thought of new magic. A bead of sweat trickled down my forehead.

“…You’re beautiful.”

Flan murmured quietly.

And then, at that moment, a message arrived from Trivia.

[*Sephia*]

[ ▶ You know there’s an exclusive interview today, right? ]

[ ▶ There are so many reporters crowded here. ]

[ ▶ Even the Magic Department reporters are packed. ]

[ ▶ You have to come! Definitely! ]

“An exclusive interview, huh.”

I straightened my collar and adjusted my appearance.

There was still so much to prove, so much fun to be had.