Magic Is Learned For Nothing [EN]: Chapter 330

Magic is Learned in Vain – Episode 331

# 331

The Absolute Ruler of Alcatraz (1)

Step, step.

Dreyza’s entry into Alcatraz.

An enormous amount of magic stones were densely packed around him.

Seeing this, you’d think it’s a very wealthy kingdom. The royal family sucks the blood of its people, causing many to starve to death, yet they think of embedding thousands of these expensive magic stones in a prison.

I don’t know who designed Alcatraz, but I applaud them.

You could probably make millions of gold just by taking out and selling the magic stones embedded in Alcatraz.

Well…

Thanks to that, Dreyza’s magic was suppressed.

He could barely use 10% of his power.

I could see why they were so confident that even a 9-star or 9th-circle absolute ruler couldn’t escape once trapped in Alcatraz.

I understand their incredible pride.

But it’s not like he couldn’t escape if he really tried.

If he destroyed just a few of the magic stones that forcibly sealed his magic, his magic would return in that location. Then, he could just destroy the other magic stones in succession.

Of course, the process wouldn’t be easy, but if he succeeded, he could regain his power.

That’s why Dreyza wasn’t too worried.

What he was concerned about was…

Creak, creeeaaak-

A massive iron gate over 30 meters high opened, and he stepped inside.

The inside was even more enormous than it looked from the outside. Prisons were densely packed, reaching dozens of stories high.

And countless prisoners were staring at the newly arrived prisoner with keen eyes.

They were also in a state where their magic was sealed.

Yet, their expressions didn’t show it at all. They had expressions not much different from Dreyza’s.

If I wanted to, I could get out of this prison anytime.

Maybe they really could.

Dreyza and the prisoners stood in the middle of the plaza. He could feel the intensely piercing gazes.

“Listen up, everyone.”

The warden shouted.

“This is your new companion, full of sins. Take good care of him.”

The warden said that and took Dreyza and the prisoners to the inner part of the plaza.

He could feel the prisoners’ gazes on the back of his head.

“This… is a more interesting place than I thought…”

Dreyza chuckled.

* * *

“Waaaaaaah! Ghost Carriage! Ghost Carriage!”

“Damn, that’s freaking cool. It’s my first time seeing a carriage pulled by ghost horses.”

“Is that a new activity carriage? Oh, I like the look of it.”

An enormous roar erupted from the Grand Prix stadium, packed with 40,000 spectators.

Ten sleek carriages and horses stood on the starting line.

Among them, Shuttle, who was holding the steering wheel of a high-performance carriage developed by Steve Jukso, capable of going from zero to 60 mph in 10 seconds, was half out of his mind.

Who am I? Why am I here?

It’s truly absurd.

The coachmen here are professionals. They don’t even blink in any situation.

This isn’t just a simple race.

Many unfortunate events happen during the race. That’s why safety devices are essential in the seats. Nevertheless, many coachmen lose their lives.

But…

Why am I in such a dangerous place?

What am I even doing here?

All!

It’s all because of the boss.

What kind of ridiculous abuse of power is this?

Why doesn’t he do it himself? I don’t know why I have to be here. Shuttle also knows how to drive a carriage.

Most men have a Class 1 Ordinary Driver’s License [standard driver’s license].

But knowing how to handle a carriage and knowing how to drive a racing carriage are worlds apart.

It’s not for nothing that racing coachmen are professionals.

Shuttle turned his gaze to Legion while holding the reins. The person who should have been in the audience was participating as a staff member.

He was sitting leisurely in the support center assigned on the first floor, drinking tea.

When he made eye contact, he clenched his fist. Fighting!

Damn it! Hey! Hey! You do it! Why are you making me do this!

“Waaaaaaah! It’s starting!”

The roar grows louder and louder.

I’m going crazy.

Ding~ Ding~.

The cheering grew even louder in response to the sound.

Shuttle’s heart was also beating like crazy. I’m going crazy. I’m going crazy.

Ding-.

Red, orange, and then green lights came on.

Immediately, nine carriages shot out simultaneously.

The only carriage that was awkwardly still was the one Shuttle was driving.

He lost at least 3 seconds.

Considering the speed of the carriage, he was at least hundreds of meters behind.

-Shuttle!

The boss’s voice was heard from the microphone Shuttle was wearing in his ear. The use of any magical tools that can be attached to or detached from the carriage is prohibited.

However, microphones that allow contact with supporters were allowed.

This was for the coachmen’s minimum safety.

If something goes wrong, the supporters must respond immediately.

“Yes, yes?”

-What are you doing?

“Yes, yes?”

-I bet 200 gold on you. A combination of 2nd place and a double combination of 3rd place. The odds for the combination are 40 to 1. The odds for the double combination are 900 to 1. It’s a jackpot if you win. At least one of them will work out, right?

Crazy.

He’s still out of his mind.

This isn’t manipulation or anything.

It just means that I have to get 2nd place in the combination or 3rd place in the double combination.

It’s definitely not a result that can be achieved with just a few days of training.

Steve Jukso kept trying to dissuade him, didn’t he?

“Your Excellency, this is the Grand Prix preliminary round. It’s over if you make even one mistake. I know that Shuttle is a high-ranking necromancer. But this isn’t magic. We need a thoroughly verified coachman.”

It didn’t work at all.

“It’s okay. I may not know anything else, but I have an eye for people. Our Shuttle will do well.”

Originally, people are said to give their lives for their lord or boss who recognizes their abilities. Okay. Let’s say that’s all true. I can do that too.

But this is a bit different, isn’t it?

It’s one thing to acknowledge my special skills, but it’s another to suddenly tell me to do something I’ve never done before and then say you believe in me…

You try doing it!

President Le!

-Run!

“Yes, yes?”

Ah, so sad. This automatic reflex.

Shuttle pulled the reins without realizing it. At the same time, the two ghost horses said, ‘We’re starting. Hold on tight,’ and began to run.

Doo-doo-doo-doo-

Thanks to the lightweight carriage developed with new materials, the ghost horses quickly gained speed.

Fortunately, the nine carriages were fiercely clashing in the front. It seemed they couldn’t increase their speed because they were checking each other. Thanks to that, Shuttle was able to catch up with the carriages he had missed without much difficulty.

-Heeheehee, what should we do?

The ghost horse asked.

Shuttle smiled brightly.

Being able to exchange opinions with the ghost horse is quite good.

It’s incredibly advantageous. Even if I let go of the reins here, the ghost horses will lead the carriage on their own.

Yes!

Isn’t this the ultimate ‘autonomous driving’ that all motors dream of?

“President Le has issued an order. Arrive in 2nd place.”

-Heeheehee, leave it to us. Shuttle, please lean back comfortably and even take a nap. We’ll be there soon. 2nd place, you say?

“Yes, 2nd place.”

-Okay-dokey. Heeheehee.

“Okay. I’ll rest then.”

Shuttle crossed his legs and supported the back of his head with both hands.

He leaned back slightly and took the most comfortable position possible. It was like watching a movie in a theater.

It would be perfect if I had popcorn in my hand.

If racing is this easy, I should bring some semi-dried squid or popcorn next time.

The carriage driven by the ghost horses squeezed between the carriages that were fighting fiercely.

At the same time, the carriages did not allow them. They didn’t like the carriage pulled by ghost horses from the beginning. They never cooperate normally. But it was different now. They simultaneously rammed the carriage from both sides.

The wheels collide with each other.

“Oh, uh?”

Sparks flew and the front wheel fell off.

Shuttle released his posture. He tried to grab the reins in a hurry. But he swung around because he was being tossed around.

Those stupid ghost horses don’t stop.

Rather, they accelerate even more.

Bang!

The carriage with the broken front wheel slumped down.

At the same time, the carriage made a loud cracking sound and rotated a full circle.

“Uwaaaaaaaaack!”

Shuttle’s vision rotates 360 degrees. The carriage spins around and is thrown somewhere.

-Uwaaaaaaack! My money!

President Le’s desperate voice was heard.

For some reason, Shuttle briefly thought that it might be better to just die here.

Koo-koo-koo-koong!

The carriage flew dozens of meters and fell upside down into the stadium.

Eeeeeeeeh!

The safety personnel stationed in various places rushed towards Shuttle.

Even in this situation, those damn ghost horses run alone without caring.

* * *

The Alcatraz prison cafeteria.

It’s large enough to accommodate at least a thousand people at once.

The number of inmates was also that large.

I heard they only catch violent criminals, but it didn’t seem to be the case.

At first glance, there were quite a few petty criminals.

It seemed to be because it was geographically close to Las Vegas, the city of pleasure.

Dreyza received a piece of bread and lamb soup and sat down at any seat. He tore the bread, dipped it in the soup, and put it in his mouth.

Munch, munch.

It’s terribly tasteless.

Even if it’s tasteless, he just eats it.

No matter how much of an 8-star warrior he is, it’s good to conserve his stamina.

No matter how much of an 8-star warrior he is, he can’t fight properly if his stamina drops.

Dreyza looked around.

There should be someone approaching him, but there was no one. They were just glancing at him.

So you’re Dreyza? So what? This is Alcatraz. There’s no place for you here.

That was the atmosphere.

If we go by the book, some bad guys who will pick a fight with him should appear here. They’ll grab his tray and pour soup on his head.

Of course, he had no intention of being victimized like that.

The moment those guys grab his tray, he’ll punch them in the face. And he’ll shout like this.

“If you have something to say, say it now. Don’t bother me later.”

Kya!

That’s so cool.

But…

Even though he made such a plan, will no one show up?

Dreyza was a little impatient this time. It’s already been half a day since he came here.

Could it be because of the warden?

The warden was different from the head of the guard. He looked at Dreyza with a very sinister look.

“Dreyza, you say?”

“That’s right.”

“Why did one of the kingdom’s seven strongest come here?”

“Well, that’s how it happened.”

“Destruction of property, huh? No matter how I look at it, it seems like you came here with some purpose.”

“No.”

It was strange. It seemed like he had perfectly disguised himself, but everyone he met was like that. What’s the problem?

“Just stay quiet and leave. No matter who you are, it’s hard to guarantee your life here.”

The warden said that.

Is it an incredible pride in Alcatraz? Or is it because of those rumored monsters?

Those rumored monsters who have made this place their kingdom.

Honestly, I’m curious to know who they are.

Come on, show yourselves.

Monsters.

Thump.

Someone put a tray in front of Dreyza.

Dreyza raised his head and looked at the person who had placed the tray in front of him.

“Mibaek?”

Mibaek, who had been unfairly arrested, was standing in front of him.

Standing at attention.