Regressor Instruction Manual

Chapter 1320. First Life Ha-Yan (3)

‘W-Why does she look so... normal?’

Her aura was so different that it was disorienting. The anxiety on her face remained familiar in my eyes; she also emanated the same aura as someone uncomfortable with crowds. Moreover, she didn't really look confident, despite my earlier remark.

I believed she appeared before the Magic Tower’s apprentice mages voluntarily, but it was clear that this sort of gathering wasn’t to her liking. It reminded me of how Second Life Ha-Yan used to be at the beginning of the second life.

Back then, before talking of becoming the God of Magic or becoming a towering authority over magic itself, she wasn't exactly interested in public affairs. Now, though, she appeared before us.

Cloaked in a heavy robe, she looked more like a mage during ancient times.

Her face was half-hidden; her figure was concealed; she had the image of a reclusive scholar. When she climbed onto the platform, she seemed hesitant, clinging to the single sheet of paper in her hand, likely the speech she was given earlier.

The elder mages guided her gently, and she nodded faintly at their words.

Whispers echoed throughout the hall.

“I-It’s really Miss Ha-Yan.”

“I can’t believe it. It’s really Miss Jung Ha-Yan...”

“U-Unbelievable...”

‘So she hasn’t been active in public for long.’

The crowd’s awe made that clear. It seemed that she had recently resolved herself to step forward—to join the war. Her face was tight with nerves, and her voice quavered as she stammered, "H-Hello.”

‘So she still stutters.’

“I-I welcome you to the Magic Tower. Within and beyond Lindel... as you pursue your dreams and ambitions... you are building the future...”

‘Her hands are shaking.’

The script in her grasp trembled with every word. She still hadn’t grown used to speaking before others and yet...

‘She does seem a little more grown up.’

She appeared more mature. If she were Second Life Ha-Yan, she wouldn't force herself into such a stressful situation just to carry out something she disliked.

At present, she seemed busy staging events to gather holy power for the so-called God of Magic, manipulating foolish mages as pawns, but in the second life, Jung Ha-Yan would never act on her own initiative unless the matter involved Han Sora or me.

As I mentioned earlier, First Life Jung Ha-Yan possessed a depth of maturity far beyond that of her second life self. She knew there were moments when one had to endure what one detested, and she was conscious of her place as well.

Even with trembling eyes and an anxious heart, she persevered, reciting her prepared address to the end. It was proof that she completely understood her responsibility. Her face and demeanor. Everything about her radiated a new sense of maturity.

“A-All of you are companions who explore and consume magic. What you will learn here in the tower cannot be confined to a few simple spells. And you must always remember that it is never to be used for war or violence,” Jung Ha-Yan said.

‘That must be an unscripted remark.’

The expressions of the mages standing behind her soured at once. Clearly, she had strayed from the script.

“For the progress of humanity and for your growth as mages, you must devote yourselves ceaselessly to study and research within the tower. The tower exists to know the true meaning of magic and the reason we exist as mages. What is truly valuable and necessary is to pursue the truth.

"You must discern and discover it for yourselves,” Jung Ha-Yan added.

‘She’s sharp.’

And at the same time, she looked desperate.

“You are not soldiers, nor are you knights. You are not here to fight. You are mages, scholars, and seekers who delve into the arcane, mages who pursue the path of truth,” Jung Ha-Yan said.

At once, it became clear what fueled her desperation.

“You are mages,” Jung Ha-Yan said.

“...”

“...”

“You... are mages,” Jung Ha-Yan repeated.

‘So that’s what she dislikes.’

Her eyes, steady and pleading, spoke volumes. She was dissatisfied with the present reality, one where magic was used only to attack, defend, and as tools for war. Her discomfort was unmistakable. Even at the cost of contradicting those standing behind her, Jung Ha-Yan was determined to express her own belief.

‘The factions are divided then.’

One side rallied behind practical, lethal magic suited to the times of war; the other clung to the original essence of magic. That was how the factions were split. Naturally, given the state of affairs, those opposing Ha-Yan’s stance wielded greater influence.

She surely knew this, yet for someone who regarded magic as both friend and family, it was a reality impossible to accept. That was why she uttered those words, setting aside her fear and embarrassment.

Of course, the apprentice mages were simply absorbed in clapping at her speech. Applause filled the tower with a resounding clap, clap, clap, clap.

Jung Ha-Yan let out a deep sigh. She seemed to think she had finished her speech to her own satisfaction. However, how many actually agreed with her? That was the real question.

‘Progress of magic... my ass...’

Most of them were here simply to learn ways to kill people. Even those who held positions in the tower were of the same sort. They were apprentice mages placed here by their guilds, people who approached magic not as a field of study but as a tool.

Considering the era, it wasn’t strange at all. At that time, the question of whether you could protect yourself was the most important thing. For the starving, nothing mattered but the bread before their eyes.

For these young mages, survival alone was what mattered.

Jung Ha-Yan’s ideals were just ideals, and they weren’t the virtues needed by people who prioritized survival. The tower, of course, understood this reality well. And sure enough, murmurs echoed nearby.

“Whoo... Miss Jung Ha-Yan and her needless remarks yet again...”

“There was no need to say such things even in a place like this.”

“I worry the apprentices will get swept up by her words and lose focus.”

“Well... she wasn't wrong.”

“That’s exactly the problem. Do you think we don’t want to care about the truth, about doing some research into magic? Who here didn’t enter the tower with such dreams? But look at the circumstances and think about our situation.”

“...”

“The last war has barely ended, and we must already prepare for another. Across the continent, strange phenomena are breaking out, and the remnants of the chimeras and Saladin’s forces are still running rampant...”

“Tsk, tsk... Instead of useless spells, it would have been better had she created something useful for the war... What a shame. A real shame.”

“...”

“...”

“S-Still, Miss Jung Ha-Yan did declare her intent to participate in the war, did she not? Though she seemed unwilling...”

“Of course, that’s true, but...”

‘I can see both sides of the argument.’

From a practical standpoint, it was hard to side with Jung Ha-Yan.

‘But still, I’ve got to stand with our Ha-Yan.’

In other words, I had to become yet another oddball in the tower.

“Let’s see... the Blue Guild sent a few mages. The Red Mercenary Guild has sent plenty, as usual... and the Black Swan Guild as well.”

“The donations...”

“More than usual. That shows how desperate they are. With a shortage of mages across the continent, everyone is clamoring for us to produce battle-ready mages as soon as possible.”

“Ahhh...”

“Then shall we begin?”

“Yes, that would be best.”

‘So, they’re doing some kind of test.’

The Magic Tower wasn’t like the academy. It was closer to a university with professors and graduate students. The mages gathered here were apprentices who had already received basic training in their guilds.

Most likely, they would undergo a simple test and interview. Then, they would be assigned to a professor as junior assistants, learning duties, spells, and magic under them.

As expected, the elderly mages began settling into their places alongside Jung Ha-Yan. The apprentices, watching, were filled with tension. And the elders started a new discussion.

“Haa... I really hope Miss Jung Ha-Yan takes on an apprentice.”

“Do you really think she will? It hasn’t even been two years since her treasured pupil died. She herself saw the pitiful corpse of the one who left after a clash of ideals...”

“Tsk... why did she...”

“Well... the child was ambitious. She disliked being overshadowed by the tower and Miss Jung Ha-Yan; she wanted to rise higher as both an adventurer and a mage. She even tried to learn black magic... but luck wasn’t on her side. That’s enough of that. It is, after all, a disgrace.”

‘So she once had an apprentice.’

And that apprentice died... She even dabbled in black magic, apparently. Whatever the circumstances, that was more than reason enough for Jung Ha-Yan to avoid taking on apprentices.

‘But I still have to get in.’

At last, the program to select apprentice mages within the tower began. For those already tied to a guild, it was nothing more than a formality, but for the ones without connections, it was different.

‘Has my fate already been decided?’

Perhaps Jo Hye-Jin had already arranged for me to be placed under Jung Ha-Yan’s faction. Sure enough, I noticed an elderly mage looking at me with a favorable face. It was like she was staring at a fine retainer who would attend to her needs from now on.

The mage who appeared to be her disciples also had a glimmer of expectation in their eyes, as if a new youngest member would soon join them.

“Since Miss Jung Ha-Yan has arrived, let us at least hold a formal test...”

“Yes, let’s do that.”

“Before the apprentice candidates are assigned to their respective schools, they will go through various tests, including a simple interview and a demonstration. You may apply to a first, second, and third choice, and take tests at the schools you are interested in.”

‘Right, right.’

As expected, the most popular schools were those specializing in large-scale destructive magic, such as elemental magic, but the sharp little mage moved toward the kind elderly mage.

Since summoning and alchemy magic followed a different path than other schools, I figured I would be welcome anywhere, but I still kept thinking of a spell to perform that would leave a strong impression.

The short written test was pathetically easy. Problems that some could find difficult were written down, but there was no issue.

‘Might as well miss one, just to show I’m not so perfect.’

While the others were still struggling with their heads in their hands, I spent the interview thinking more about what kind of magic I could show to them. The interview questions themselves were obvious.

“I want to help people!”

A cheerful line like that would do the trick. And of course, I would say it loudly enough for Jung Ha-Yan, who was far away, to hear.

‘Can you hear my voice?’

The elderly mage, too, smiled kindly as she started talking.

“Is that so?”

“Yes. The advancement of magic is also the advancement of technology. Of course, many people suffer because of war... but in the region where I lived, I saw far more people dying because they lacked the basic necessities of life,” I replied.

“Ah, you’re from the Union of Kingdoms...” she said.

“That’s right! Over there, many people die because there’s no food or clean water. If only we had something like a warp gate artifact...” I said.

‘Add remarks like that.’

“It would be a great help for those who are isolated,” I added.

“A warp gate artifact... How interesting. Then, such an artifact—”

“Magical engineering!” I shouted.

“What?”

“Right now, with just our current spells and magical abilities, it's impossible, but if magical engineering develops even further, it's absolutely achievable. Not just mages, but alchemists and enchanters as well...” I explained.

Spouting a few lofty ideals was practically tradition. Of course, most would take it as pie in the sky. After all, with the technology of this era, it was truly an impossible dream.

Even in the second life, the development of magical engineering didn’t really begin until my son from the Rift Museum appeared.

In the face of this young mage’s bold declaration, the kind elderly mage couldn’t help but smile. Where in today’s world could one find a mage with such big dreams?

When everyone else intended on memorizing one more attack spell, this little mage carried a vision of a different kind.

“Well then, that’s enough for the interview... Shall we do a simple demonstration?” she suggested.

‘See, granny’s kind.’

And so, when I cast a spell that was neither a destructive spell nor a protective spell.

“...”

“...”

I caught a sight of the elderly mage’s mouth hanging wide open.

And needless to say, Jung Ha-Yan’s eyes were also fixed on me.

‘Different, right? Definitely different, right?’