Great Teacher in a Defense Game

#15 Avert Your Gaze

Enoch finished preparing and exited the pub.

His expression, as he stepped outside, was serene, in stark contrast to moments prior.

‘Might as well give them a preemptive word of caution, this time.’

When he’d first received the letter, his head had nearly burst with heat.

It was because his hard-won days of freedom, only two in number, had been snatched away with barely a word.

And yet, upon further reflection, it wasn’t necessarily such a terrible thing.

‘The position of Guild Master is not taken lightly. And now, an invitation arrives from their end first.’

Even for Enoch, the Guild Master’s office was not easily accessed.

Not a matter of brute force, but of prestige and position.

Ordinarily, he wouldn’t have the justification to seek an audience.

But now, things were different.

To think, the esteemed Guild Master himself had extended the summons through a personal letter.

Meaning, a valid reason to visit had finally presented itself.

Enoch cast aside the fury of a stolen holiday and resolved to seize this opportunity.

“I’ll be away for a time, in the capital. Behave yourself for Master while I’m gone. And no skipping training.”

“Huh? Am I not going with you?”

Lacrina, securing her purse containing the 153,000 Crowe given as pocket money, asked the question.

Her expression betrayed a clear dismay.

She’d naturally assumed she would accompany him to the capital.

Enoch, however, shook his head firmly, as if to say it wasn’t necessary.

“This is a matter for adults. There’s no need for you to get involved.”

“But, still…”

Lacrina tentatively grasped at the hem of Enoch’s coat.

A quiet act of defiance, a plea not to be abandoned.

‘She’s grown quite fond of me already, it seems.’

Enoch observed Lacrina with something akin to amusement.

They seemed to have forged a bond of considerable trust in merely two days.

Sometimes, the intensity of shared experience outweighs the duration.

Lacrina in her current state was a perfect example.

Having endured so much in those two days, she had unconsciously come to regard Enoch as a trustworthy adult.

‘Even so, not today.’

But Enoch would not yield.

He still had no clear idea how long he might remain in the capital, nor how much activity it would demand.

He simply could not bring her along under such circumstances.

It would sound harsh, but the Lacrina of now was, frankly, nothing more than baggage.

“It’s regrettable.”

He slowly peeled off the girl’s hand, which clung to his collar.

Lacrina’s eyes welled up, like an abandoned puppy.

Even so, Enoch remained resolute.

“I’ll be back soon. Don’t cause trouble, and train hard.”

“Yes…”

“Cheer up. I’ll bring back some gifts when I return.”

Enoch added with a smile before moving his feet.

A peaceful gait, neither heavy nor light.

“…”

Lacrina stood silently at the entrance of the pub, quietly watching her teacher recede into the distance.

Eventually, his figure shrunk to a dot and vanished completely.

In that instant, Lacrina found herself instinctively reaching for her sword.

A strange mix of emotions churned within her.

For some reason, she felt an urge to train.

@

Enoch purchased his ticket and boarded the airship.

The airship was a product of Karadron Corp, a Dwarven company from a foreign nation, not the Empire.

Overall, a design where magic and science coexisted; something akin to arcane punk or steam punk.

For reference, the airship’s price was approximately 250 billion Crowe.

Not that he couldn’t buy one if he put his mind to it.

‘Wouldn’t mind acquiring one… if only there was a place to put it. And who knows how often I’d actually use it.’

Enoch felt he should peruse some airship catalogs later.

After all, his skill varied wildly depending on the material used as a medium.

He could easily face a scroll-grade mage with an item worth a mere 300,000 Crowe.

So, what would be born if he poured a full 250 billion into it?

Enoch was suddenly curious.

‘We’re taking off.’

In the meantime, the airship was slowly ascending.

The prow shifted, catching its bearing, the engine shuddering mightily, exhaling heat.

Enoch, feeling the vibrations, closed his eyes.

When he opened them again, he was already aloft.

@

In Age of Invasion, countless nations appear.

The Elven Domains, the Dwarven Kingdoms, the city-state alliance established by the Ain Union.

And lastly, the Empire of Man.

Balderich, the Empire’s name.

Akroteon, the capital, meaning “High Peak.”

‘It’s been a while since I’ve seen the capital.’

Enoch descended from the airship and surveyed the cityscape.

A colossal city of 16 million souls.

Buildings stacked layer upon layer, like terraced rice paddies, made quite an impression.

“Are you, perhaps, Mister Enoch?”

As he did, someone approached and addressed him.

Upon closer inspection, a cohort of mages clad in modern robes.

“I am Enoch. What business do you have?”

“We were told you possess a letter. Might we see it?”

“Here.”

Enoch withdrew the missive and offered it forth.

The mage who appeared to be the leader paused momentarily at the sight of the crumpled parchment, but silently accepted it nonetheless.

“Confirmed. You are the one.”

“And now you drag me away?”

“There were no such instructions. We were merely told to escort you.”

The mages lowered their heads slightly, their eyes questioning if he would accompany them.

With no reason to refuse, Enoch nodded.

And so, a brief companionship ensued.

Yet, had they employed some sort of magic?

For hardly had they walked at all, a massive guild edifice materialized before Enoch’s eyes.

‘Magic of shrinking the earth. Affiliated with the Earth Spire, then.’

“Let us be going. The Guildmaster awaits.”

The mage who guided him gestured, as if to hurry him along.

Enoch, regarding him, let out a sigh.

“You still have much to learn in the way of hospitality.”

“Pardon?”

“In the future, when wielding magic, inquire as to the other’s will beforehand. It is a matter of mutual courtesy, you see.”

Enoch spoke thus and then began to stride forward.

Within the monocle perched over his left eye, a blue lightning already flickered.

-Thump.

As Enoch took his step, the very air around them momentarily wavered.

The magic of Shrinking Earth, allowing one to run by folding the land.

A fair degree of completion, yet still lacking.

Enoch had pierced, and then trod upon, the subtle flaws in the magic woven between the land and the land itself.

-Hiss.

Magic is born of calculation, talent, and design.

And within that sturdy citadel, a breach had been made.

And it is the natural order that a castle with a hole will crumble.

Following this natural order, the magic of Shrinking Earth collapsed in an instant.

“This is…”

“…Did he cast a dispel magic?”

“Surely, that is not possible.”

The mages stirred with unease, witnessing their magic unravel so swiftly.

To block magic is simple.

To touch it, to interfere, is difficult.

And to penetrate its design, and unravel it…that borders on the impossible.

At the very least, one must gaze into the essence of the magic itself, understanding it entirely to reach that realm.

In other words, one must have attained a ‘fundamental’ level within the Earth element to perform such a feat.

“…Could it be a senior colleague of the Order?”

A mage from the Earth Magic Tower looked up at Enoch with bewildered eyes.

The subject of their gaze, however, did not glance back, but instead continued his steps inside the building.

“……”

The mages remaining in the hall watched the man in silence.

Then, one by one, they lowered their heads.

A respect of their own, offered to one who had transcended mere craft and knowledge, reaching the very essence of magic.

@

Enoch walked aimlessly through the guild building’s interior.

For a first visit, his steps lacked hesitation.

Not that he particularly knew the way.

In the first place, there wasn’t really anything to call a “way” here.

‘Is this it.’

His ceaseless steps halted.

Before Enoch’s eyes, a massive door had materialized.

‘No matter where you walk, you arrive at the destination you conjure in your mind. The Magic Towers are said to function similarly. Knowing the original work’s lore certainly helps.’

The entire Mage Guild building was imbued with enchantment.

A magic known as the “Pathfinder.”

This magic was cast indiscriminately upon all who entered the building.

The one under its influence, by simply focusing on their desired destination, would inevitably arrive there, regardless of which direction they took.

It was a magic conceived by the mages of the Magic Towers, to efficiently utilize vast spaces.

‘Of course, it ultimately requires the master’s permission, regardless.’

Enoch discreetly checked the guildmaster’s letter in his hand.

A pale blue light emanated from the very same letter he had received back earlier.

Simply put, this letter itself was a key.

A letter bearing the guildmaster’s handwriting was, in essence, an invitation.

Those without it could never reach this place, no matter what means they employed.

‘A nebulous treatment, somewhere between guest and criminal, I see.’

-Kreeeak

Enoch opened the door and stepped inside.

A vast space unfolded before him, dominated by a gigantic round table.

“Ah, you’ve finally arrived.”

A familiar face awaited him at one end of the round table.

It was Nordilla, the Border-Class Mage and Master of the Frost Spire, whom he’d encountered but a short time ago.

“Welcome, Enoch. I confess, I hadn’t expected to see you again so soon.”

“Nor I. I’d reckoned it would be months hence, at the earliest.”

Nordilla greeted Enoch with a bright countenance.

Enoch approached him, continuing, “Where are the others, though? And the Guildmaster?”

“Patience. They’ll arrive presently.”

Nordilla probed his ear canal, then blew on his finger with a *whoosh*.

“They likely knew of your arrival from the skies above the Empire. As you are aware, such as we are not so easily bound by the constraints of space. …Ha! Speak of the devil. Here comes another.”

Nordilla chuckled, extending a finger.

Yet, at the tip of his finger was nothing at all.

However, Enoch knew well enough that in the realm of magic, one ought not blindly trust what one’s eyes perceived.

*Sizzle…*

In that instant, the moisture in the air coalesced into minute droplets.

Presently, the droplets fell to the ground, swiftly transmuting into the form of a person.

“Am I the second? My thanks, Nordilla. You’ve made my arrival ever so convenient.”

“If you’re so grateful, you could at least buy me a meal.”

“Something other than food, perhaps. Unnecessary consumption only weighs one down.”

The one who had manifested was a woman with tresses of azure.

Enoch recognized her at once.

She was Jane Alura, Master of the Water Spire and, likewise, a Border-Class Mage.

“You’re Enoch?”

“Indeed.”

“Is that so? Pleased to make your acquaintance. And it seems the others are starting to arrive.”

Spire Master Jane brought forth a hookah, placing it to her lips.

Beyond the gurgling sounds, other mages arrived in quick succession.

*Peeee!*

A sudden tinnitus rang out.

*KABOOM!*

“Apologies for my tardiness. Matters demanded my attention.”

The Lightning Magister, Bergo Tessa, thundered into existence.

“Aish… I told you to go easy on the cleaning.”

Dust rained from the ceiling.

The Earth Magister, Raseline Iskuta, slowly raised her head.

-Screech-

Finally, the door at the entrance groaned open.

The Wind Magister, Sebek, and Guildmaster Rosita Mantera revealed themselves.

“Hmph.”

Rosita, having appeared, offered a short sigh.

She glanced at the others, Enoch excluded, then spoke, as if scolding,

“Six boundary-level mages. You’ve certainly gathered a crowd. Were you all that idle? I can’t get you to convene when I’m practically begging.”

The Magisters, subjected to the rebuke, reacted in their own ways.

“What can we do… It’s not as if we can roam freely…”

“Besides, this matter is rather different. Too significant to overlook, wouldn’t you say?”

Raseline of Earth and Bergo of Lightning spoke in turn.

Raseline was a quiet-seeming woman with verdant hair.

Conversely, Bergo was a muscular, blond man with dark skin.

“Is there ever a good reason for us to be gathered in one place? Right now, thanks to me and Old Man Nordilla, the water levels in the Imperial aqueducts are likely rising in real time, aren’t they?”

“Spare me, please. I mastered force control back in diapers.”

“Whatever it is, let’s get it over with quickly. I feel needlessly restless just sitting still.”

Jane of Water’s words were immediately countered by Nordilla of Ice.

Sebek of Wind had already taken a seat, propping up his chin with a look of utter boredom.

Enoch gazed steadily at the whole spectacle.

He had expected little more than a hearing.

Seeing the people gathered before him, that possibility utterly vanished.

“You must be Enoch.”

As he considered this, Rosita, who had been by the entrance, approached Enoch.

Enoch offered a short bow, showing his respect.

“A pleasure to meet you, Guildmaster. I came in response to the ‘invitation’ you personally penned.”

“Yes, so you did. Thank you. Unlike those blasted lot, you actually understood my words.”

Rosita offered a bitter smile, tinged with gratitude.

Then, she rubbed her weary eyes and settled into her seat.

Enoch, following suit, took his place beside Nordilla.

As he sat, the Guild Master spoke again.

“Five Master Magi of the Elements. And the Guild Master. Surely this qualifies, and then some, as a proper discourse.”

“……”

“From this moment forward, we commence Pankrotos – the voice of all.”

With the declaration, the round table ignited with light.

In its wake, the entire space was instantaneously transformed.

The newly manifested chamber bore a striking resemblance to a coliseum.

Presently, countless figures materialized in the vacant seats, taking their places.

‘Now this feels more like an interrogation, or perhaps a hearing.’

At least several hundred individuals filled the space.

An unusually large number, even for a mere backdrop.

Enoch felt the gazes of the crowd fixate on him through the altered space.

He endured their scrutiny in silence, until Guild Master Rosita spoke once more.

“The subject of this Pankrotos is simple. It is the mage seated there, known as Enoch.”

“…”

“Today, we will discuss his fate. We may question him, and he, in turn, may question us. Let us hope that this exchange will lead to an amicable resolution.”

-Bang. Bang.

Rosita struck the table with a hammer.

A crude peal of sound heralded the beginning.

Setting aside the hammer, Rosita turned her attention to the silent Enoch.

“If you wouldn’t mind starting, that is. I imagine you have quite a few questions yourself.”

“Very well. I appreciate the courtesy.”

Enoch did not refuse.

Clearing his throat, he rose from his seat.

“Hmm…”

-……

“First, allow me a word to all those gathered here.”

Enoch, after a deliberate sweep of the Archmage and Guild Master, his gaze lingering on the other mages seated further back, spoke as if delivering a decree.

“A gaggle of incompetents.”

“…?”

“Withdraw those gazes, like I am some common criminal before you. Before I come and pluck them out myself, with my own two hands.”

Perhaps a touch lengthy for a single utterance.

The assembly hall frosted over with a sudden chill.