Genius Wizard Hides His Sword Skills [EN]: Chapter 134

134. The Beginning of Change (2)

‘Liu……?’

His sudden appearance was nothing short of perplexing. It wasn’t merely because a Delema’s bloodline had appeared here.

The reason my brow furrowed was solely this:

[He wasn’t on the invitation list, was he?]

Because we never sent Liu an invitation.

‘Yeah. But he brought one with him.’

However, what he held in his hand was clearly our invitation. It wasn’t clear how it ended up in his possession, but he had somehow acquired an invitation from someone.

‘Looks like he got it from someone who didn’t attend today.’

[Then could Liu possibly be from the Magic Tower? Or Revoluca?]

‘I don’t know. Liu is quite distant from the Magic Tower. He’s a free spirit.’

[Why, he even stopped by the Magic Tower graduation ceremony this time. Could he have come because of this?]

‘Maybe.’

Clearly, Liu’s appearance was suspicious.

Moreover, we hadn’t sent an invitation to anyone from the Delema family. He had obtained an invitation from someone in another family.

“Oh! Ian!”

And he found me and approached.

“Uncle Liu, you’ve come too.”

First, I had no choice but to greet him, pretending not to know.

“It seems you received an invitation, Uncle.”

“Ah, yeah. You were here too.”

“Yes. Even while attending the Magic Tower, I’ve come here occasionally.”

“Oh ho. You’ve been quiet within the family, but you also attend these social clubs. You have plans, don’t you? Your restaurant is also thriving.”

Liu gave a sly, smiling glance.

– As you know, he’s an uninvited guest.

– Yeah. Let’s just watch him for now.

He was clearly emerging as the most cautious figure here.

Furthermore, his gaze, which had been briefly scanning the banquet hall, paused momentarily on Tina Zilia.

– His eyes are unsettling.

Liu narrowed his brow for a fleeting moment.

However, he naturally shifted his gaze to the auction items. Then, Liu put his arm around my shoulder.

“You wanted to learn Blink magic too?”

“Yes. It’s a difficult magic to learn.”

“Well, it’s hard to come across unless you’re a secretary like that. It’s naturally a desirable magic.”

He nodded, then tilted his head.

“But where did these auctioneers get such a precious thing? You said you’ve been here a few times, right?”

“Yes.”

“Do you happen to know who the owner of this auction house is?”

I couldn’t tell him straight away. I didn’t know his true identity here, so I simply shook my head.

“No. I don’t really know.”

“Hmm. I see. Okay. Let’s just acquire that magic book. If one of us gets it, we’ll share it with each other, okay?”

“Of course.”

Liu extended his fist for a greeting. I bumped fists with him.

And a moment later, the auctioneer’s voice echoed through the banquet hall again.

“Well, it seems like no one else is coming, so let’s start again!”

The auction began in earnest.

* * *

The auction ended sooner than expected.

‘Hmph, that woman messed up my plans a bit.’

Tina Zilia called out 800 gold coins from the start. Thanks to that, most people gave up on the auction preemptively.

I was trying to watch the expressions exchanged between people during the auction, but her recklessness brought it to an end in an instant.

[Still, we’ve already identified the suspicious ones, haven’t we?]

The auction ended without dragging on for too long.

“Now, let’s hand over the auction item to the highest bidder.”

The auctioneer’s gaze landed on someone.

“Highest bidder, please come forward.”

It was Liu Delema.

He was the last to attend the banquet and ended up being the highest bidder.

‘Why is this guy being so unreasonable?’

Competing alone with Tina Zilia, he shouted out a whopping 1,500 gold.

[I don’t know. Did he need it that badly?]

Naturally, Tina Zilia’s face turned red.

“Wow, as expected of Delema…….”

“1,500!”

The other attendees were looking at Liu with envy. Delema had taken an overwhelming lead even among the prestigious families.

“Ian! I won!”

Ignoring their gazes, Liu brought the magic book with a bright smile.

“Weren’t you being too reckless? 1,500 gold coins for a single magic book.”

“It’s okay. I’ll just have to skip some meals for a while. Anyway, if I learn it and you learn it, it’s fine. Think of it as your graduation gift.”

I had already been taught Blink magic by Anghel. In fact, the magic book wasn’t necessary for me, but I couldn’t help but be sincerely grateful for his heart.

‘He really is a unique person.’

As far as magic is concerned, magicians were the most selfish beings. No matter how close the bloodline, there would be few who would share a magic book.

[I can’t figure out what’s going on in that guy’s head.]

Liu was originally a unique person. His identity here today was only making me more curious.

“Ah, I have a use for it too, so it’s okay if I learn it first and then pass it on to you, right?”

“Of course. It’s not even mine.”

A satisfied smile hung on Liu’s lips when the auctioneer announced the end of the auction.

“Well, that concludes today’s auction.”

The member of the Central Council smiled at the members of the banquet hall.

“Instead, the banquet will continue here, so please feel free to spend your time here. We will prepare good food and drinks for you.”

The attendees nodded at the words. They were here for a social gathering, not just for the auction.

“And for those who are tired, please go to the top-notch accommodations we provide and get some rest! Anyway, it’s late now, so it will be difficult to return to your families.”

They had deliberately set the auction time to be late at night. It was to prevent them from returning to their families.

[It’s starting soon.]

‘Because it’s a deliberately set stage.’

The darkness of the Magic Tower and Revoluca would unfold. Whether it was in the banquet hall or in the accommodations. The two groups would move.

‘Let’s see how they move.’

As the food for the banquet was being prepared one by one, it was then.

“Are you telling me to leisurely drink here?”

A sharp voice echoed through the banquet hall. As expected, the protagonist was Tina Zilia.

She had become even more uncomfortable after missing the auction.

“I’m leaving. Guide me to the accommodations!”

She was heading straight out of the banquet hall.

People were reacting to her appearance. Several people were following Tina Zilia out of the banquet hall.

“I’m tired today, so I should go to the accommodations.”

“Hmm. Let’s have a drink next time.”

“Her condition isn’t good.”

Some of those who had been watching Tina Zilia from the beginning. Because she was subtly emitting dark magic energy, it was impossible not to be suspicious of those following Tina.

And another person who was trying to head to the accommodations.

“Ian, you’re going to stay here longer, right? I think I’ll go to the accommodations.”

It was Liu who was about to turn away. He had also been looking at Tina with unusual eyes.

“Ah, I’m going to rest a bit today too. I haven’t really rested properly since the graduation ceremony.”

“……Oh, really?”

Liu looked embarrassed for some reason.

“But wouldn’t it be good to make friends with people from other families? They’re all people who are hard to meet elsewhere. It will be a great help to you later.”

He would have fully agreed if it was me saying it. Unlike usual, Liu wanted me to stay here.

“It’s okay. I come to this banquet hall often. There will be another chance next time.”

Liu nodded at my repeated stubbornness.

“……Okay. Let’s go. But make sure to ask for a room next to mine.”

It was a rare, serious expression from Liu.

‘What is he plotting?’

His inner thoughts became even harder to know.

“Okay. Let’s go in then.”

I couldn’t afford to miss Tina, so I hurried my steps. I headed to the accommodations with Liu.

* * *

Anti’s luxurious inn.

“Yes. We will give you two rooms next to each other.”

The staff at the front desk gave Liu and me a bright smile. The staff gave us rooms next to each other according to Liu’s strong request. He nodded to me secretly.

[So there won’t be any disruption to the plan. Tina Zilia is in your room below, right?]

‘That’s right.’

This place had also been acquired in advance for today.

The staff who gave us the room was also a member of the Central Council, so he had arranged my room as instructed in advance.

[I can keep a close watch.]

I had already installed magic to monitor the room below.

‘But I don’t know why Liu is trying to stick by my side.’

Anyway, there was no time to delay. I didn’t know who would approach Tina Zilia or when.

“Let’s go up. Uncle.”

“Okay. Let’s go.”

Liu took a determined step towards the stairs.

“And if anything happens, don’t move from your room and wait for me.”

Suddenly, he turned to me.

“……What do you mean, ‘anything’?”

“Just don’t ask now and do as I say. Have I ever done anything harmful to you?”

He threw the words in a joking tone, but the atmosphere was much heavier than usual.

“……Okay.”

We arrived in front of our respective doors.

“Get some rest.”

Liu left those last words and entered the room.

‘Hoo. I’m nervous?’

His unusual appearance was making me even more nervous.

Liu seemed to be preparing something. Something bigger than I thought might happen.

[But whatever Liu’s identity is, he seems to be genuinely worried about you, right? So you don’t get caught up in danger.]

‘Does it seem like that?’

Anyway, it was already irreversible.

Creak-

As I opened the door and entered, a luxurious bedroom was revealed.

It was a sight that was not inferior to inviting members of each prestigious family. However, within that splendid appearance, countless schemes were lurking.

And, of course, I was at the center of that scheme.

Woo-oong!

The prepared magic circle was already running in the room.

The magic circles were installed towards the room below. Various magics had been prepared in advance because I didn’t know what would happen.

‘Okay, let’s see who wins.’

And at that moment, a voice was heard.

“Ah! Liu Delema or whatever! I failed because of that damn bastard!”

It was Tina Zilia’s voice, as if it were coming from right next to me.

My gaze naturally turned to the floor of the room. A translucent blue barrier installed between the magic circles.

Woo-oong!

Beyond it, Tina Zilia was seen venting her anger. It was magic that had been installed in advance to monitor the floor below from here.

[That woman doesn’t seem to be from the Magic Tower or Revoluca.]