The Second Strongest Has Returned

Chapter 46

Magic Tower

“…Ugh…”

Leonardo woke up, stretching as if he were simply getting up in the morning.

[What happened this time? You were groaning a lot.]

In front of him was the Sage. It seemed he had successfully returned to reality.

<…That… I’m sure…>

He distinctly remembered entering a dream. But everything that happened afterward was unclear.

It was hazy, like being enveloped in a thick fog.

The more he tried to recall, the denser the fog of memory became, and the more he tried to draw out the thoughts, the more a headache began to build.

[If you can’t remember, it’s probably best not to think about it. Most people forget their own dreams within two minutes; how much harder would it be to remember someone else’s?]

That made sense. Moreover, since the dream likely involved a lot of Aria’s personal matters, it was probably better not to remember it.

“…More importantly, what happened to Aria?”

That was the real concern—Aria’s safety was paramount. If Aria, the main objective, wasn’t safe, this entire operation would be meaningless.

“Miss Ariasphil has already woken up. Over there…”

Ariasphil was already up and organizing the books she had used as a makeshift pillow.

“Oh, you’re awake? Leo.”

Despite what she had been through, Ariasphil greeted Leo with a bright smile that belied the idea she had just experienced a nightmare.

[…Why has she been all smiles like that since earlier? Do you have any clue?]

It was a clumsy guess, but with his foggy memory, it was the only explanation he could come up with.

“…Leo.”

Aria brushed her hair back behind her ears and used her hand to wipe something off Leo’s lips.

“You had something on your mouth.”

With that, she flashed a seductive smile and returned to organizing her books.

…

…..

………

[You’re up…]

It was just an involuntary bodily reaction from waking up suddenly. That was all it was, and all it needed to be.

***

For the time being, they decided to halt their search for the Sage’s Legacy.

They had gathered all the necessary legacies, and given the potential dangers, it was agreed to postpone further searches for now.

In the meantime, Leo focused on what he needed to do, while Aria attended to her own tasks.

[So, who are you going to report this to? The Masters of the Magic Tower?]

The Sage frowned as he reviewed the gathered evidence. The crimes they had uncovered were so serious that even the usually light-hearted Sage couldn’t bring himself to crack a joke or curse.

If Leonardo himself reported it, it would be fortunate if they didn’t just silence him instead.

[True… Those in power aren’t all-powerful. In fact, they often have more restrictions. So, what’s your plan? Post the evidence on public boards?]

The Sage, puzzled by those cryptic words, asked again to clarify.

[So what? Is someone else going to do it for you?]

[Why would that be true? So, what’s your plan?]

Leonardo smiled as he held up the evidence he had gathered.

[Why are there two of them?]

It was a replica made using a printing magic tool, a duplicate with no legal standing as evidence.

[A few? Wouldn’t it be better to send them to a newspaper?]

In truth, Leonardo felt like assassinating all the journalists with a physical “joke” right then and there.

[Fine. Well… I am curious about how they’ll react.]

With the Sage’s comment, Leonardo nodded and walked toward the Sage’s research lab.

“Miss Ameri!”

“Ah, Leonardo!”

Ameri Esph was sitting in the lab, looking unusually well-groomed and lively that day.

The dark circles under her eyes had disappeared, her skin was smooth and radiant, and her hair was neatly tied back and combed down.

[Does finding a Legacy really change a person this much?]

[Isn’t that the same thing?]

Though it was an unfamiliar, polished appearance, the only person who would be in this shabby club room was Ameri.

“Are you sure it’s okay to gather here? The Masters of the Magic Tower…”

“We were the ones who found the Legacy, and it was the Magic Tower that gave us this shabby space as a research lab for the Sage’s department. We have nothing to be ashamed of, nor have we done anything wrong.”

To a graduate student like her, every little thing probably felt like it could cost her grades. But if she kept being so submissive, graduating—or even functioning in society—would be difficult.

“…That’s true, but…”

At that moment, the worn-out door opened again, and one by one, the heavyweights of the magic world entered the room.

“It’s quite shabby.”

First was Vernan Verdein, the Master of the Black Tower.

“Do we really have to meet in a place like this?”

Next was Aspi Illinan, the Grand Mage of the White Tower.

“Did you really obtain the Sage’s Legacy?”

Then, Bluah Blanc, the administrator of the highest floor of the Blue Tower.

“You’ll know once you hear!”

Finally, Jane Narsha, the Master of the Red Tower and a battle mage.

The four pillars of the current magical world had gathered in the Sage Department’s club room. The atmosphere instantly became heavy, and the density of mana in the air thickened.

“…W-Would you like some tea…?”

“No, that won’t be necessary. Given the nature of the matter, let’s get straight to the point.”

At that stern remark, Ameri immediately shrank back.

“The point… Are you referring to this?”

Leonardo calmly grasped the “Pendant of Truth and Fact” hanging around his neck.

Naturally, the gazes of the Grand Mages focused on the Sage’s necklace.

“Is it real…?”

“…It’s genuine.”

“Even so…”

“We’ll just have to confirm it!”

The first to step forward was the Master of the Red Tower.

“I’m a man!”

It might have sounded like a foolish statement, but when it came to distinguishing truth from lies, a silly question was the best test.

Zing

The pendant’s eye emitted a red flash.

“Oh~ Then that’s a lie. I’m a woman!”

With that correction, the red light from the pendant disappeared.

“Oh, it seems to be the genuine article. This is a technique that modern magic cannot replicate!”

With the Red Tower Master’s test, the other Masters of the Magic Tower relaxed their guard regarding the Sage’s Legacy. The lie-detection function of the pendant Leonardo was holding had played a significant role in dispelling their doubts.

“…So, I’d like to hear the story of how you came to acquire it.”

“The… the details are as stated in the report.”

“Is this the report you’re referring to?”

The Black Tower Master held up the report that had been submitted.

“In summary… you’re asking us to believe that based on the data gathered by Student Ameri, Leonardo here was able to deduce on the spot and find two of the Sage’s Legacies that had been shrouded in mystery for hundreds of years… and we’re supposed to trust this?”

However, the Masters were still not entirely convinced. The story of how the Legacies were acquired and the method by which they were tested were, to any rational mind, hard to believe.

“If you still can’t trust us even after seeing this, then there’s nothing more we can do.”

Leonardo displayed the pendant, not just as a symbol of having obtained the Legacy, but also to remind them of the power it held.

“…Alright. If the pendant says it’s true, we have no choice but to believe it.”

“Then, let’s move on to the next issue—the matter of how these Legacies should be handled!”

At those words, the Masters of the Magic Tower revealed their intense desires through their eyes. As mages, they were fully aware of the immense value these Legacies held.

“There’s no need to think too hard. Ameri is a student of the Black Tower, and the Sage’s Legacy falls squarely within the field of magitechnology, which is the Black Tower’s specialty. Considering that…”

The White Tower Master cut off the Black Tower Master mid-sentence.

“Isn’t your premise flawed? The fact that the Black Tower deals with magitechnology doesn’t necessarily mean that the Sage’s Legacy should belong to you.”

The Blue Tower Master chimed in, supporting the White Tower Master to counter the advantageous position of the Black Tower.

“And claiming the Legacy just because Ameri is a student of the Black Tower could be seen as an insult to the Sage and to the student. Am I wrong?”

“I’d like to remain as neutral as possible, but I can’t agree with the Black Tower Master’s argument!”

Even as they expressed their opinions, their eyes discreetly flicked toward the pendant. However, the pendant’s eye did not emit any light.

[It seems they’ve already figured out a way to circumvent it.]

Most of their statements were based on speculation and personal opinions. In such cases, concepts of truth and fact become ambiguous, making it difficult for the pendant to detect lies.

“Let’s all calm down. We have the right to express our opinion as well.”

At Leonardo’s words, the Masters of the Magic Tower tried to suppress him with their intimidating presence.

However, to Leo, who had been tempered by countless fears, such intimidation was meaningless.

“Alright, then, let’s hear what you have to say.”

“I’ll get straight to the point.”

Now, the tide would turn.

“We have no intention of handing over the Sage’s Legacy.”

Again, the sense of pressure returned. The graduate student beside him was already overwhelmed, with dark circles reappearing under her makeup.

“Why not?”

Even so, there was no turning back now.

“The Sage’s Legacy was hidden within the Magic Tower under the condition that only those who were worthy could claim it. Isn’t that right?”

None of them could easily refute this. Despite the Sage having tarnished his own image over time, it was evident that his status still held significant weight.

“Looking at it that way, it’s only logical that we should be the ones to possess this.”

Moreover, since Ameri couldn’t even remove the ring due to its side effects, their claim became even more justifiable.

“However, I believe we must also consider the concerns of the Masters of the Magic Tower.”

Leonardo removed the pendant and placed it on the table.

“Therefore, I have a proposal for you.”

Leonardo had already taken control of the negotiation.

***

[Are you sure it’s okay to do this?]

The Sage, noticing Leonardo’s now bare neck, asked in confusion.

It had been decided that the pendant would be entrusted to the Magic Tower. Of course, Leonardo remained its official owner, and the arrangement with the Magic Tower was a renewable temporary loan.

[It’s really just a formality; calling you the owner is a bit of a stretch… Besides, you didn’t get much out of it.]

What Leonardo held was a “Special Magic Permit,” a document even more useful than a mid-level or even high-level magic permit. It was hardly a loss.

[…Well… I suppose that’s one way to look at it. I’ll teach you the method, though…]

The Sage pointed at the small room ahead, where the pendant Leonardo had loaned to the Magic Tower was now kept.

[…Was it really necessary to create that tiny exhibition room? Wouldn’t it have been better to donate it to a museum if you were going to make it so modest?]

[That? What do you mean?]

Leonardo hummed a tune as he looked over the names in the reservation book.

“That pedo bastard, the embezzler… and the rest are all accounted for.”

[…What? What’s this about?]

The Sage glanced over Leonardo’s shoulder at the reservation list.

[You did. You also said not to give them to the Masters of the Magic Tower.]

Leonardo flipped through the list, showing it to the Sage. As the pages turned, the Sage’s previously dull eyes began to sparkle with life.

[…Wait… You didn’t… You didn’t send it to…]

The recipients of the copies were individuals who were in hostile situations with the people listed—those embroiled in patent disputes, academic rivalries, position battles, and faction conflicts. Only those who couldn’t resist fighting with those scumbags were carefully selected.

They would, of course, be suspicious. They might doubt the evidence’s authenticity or worry it was a trap. But it didn’t matter. An absolute weapon to counter those doubts was already in place.

[But they’re just copies. They don’t hold any legal power…]

Leonardo smiled and pointed to the small room.

[…Wow… Oh… shit… I just got chills.]

From now on, that room would be known as the Room of Truth.

Now, let the killing begin.