Reborn as the Head of the Stolen Mage Family

Chapter 56

Following the researcher's instructions, I put on the item and once again gauged Sylvia's magic in my mind.

Fwaaa- Vrooooom-!

As the item activated and my mana circle responded, I felt it more clearly.

It was definitely the same magic of Circe.

However, the purity of Sylvia's magic had dropped compared to before.

‘What happened?’

The purity of magic drops if the mana circle isn't stimulated for a long time.

But the period I hadn't seen Sylvia was about a month at most.

It didn't make sense for the purity of Sylvia's magic to drop in such a short period.

‘......No way.’

Shwaaaaaaak- Baaam-!!

As a power strong enough to make the magic detector vibrate was emitted, a plausible possibility surfaced in my mind.

The very same possibility that Kenneth had raised during the last Palamedes fellowship meeting.

A homunculus.

‘A homunculus.’

The face of I, who had been feigning a daze, momentarily stiffened.

Fortunately, Sylvia and the researchers were focused on the item's power and didn't notice.

I quickly fixed my expression.

However, the shock that had arisen in my heart did not easily subside.

‘If they created a new homunculus while I was at the academy… that would explain why the purity of her magic feels like it has dropped.’

The magic I felt was definitely Circe's.

So, if the Sylvia before me was a ‘new’ homunculus created with the same magic of Circe.

Compared to the previous Sylvia, the period of using magic would be shorter, so her magic would be less refined.

In that case….

‘Does this mean that someone collaborating with Furas has truly captured Circe, imprisoned her somewhere, and is using her as material for a homunculus?’

One speculation led to another.

And just as my thoughts led to pity for the nameless Circe who had become a material, the next experiment was prepared.

"Now, it's potions. Take them one by one in order, then use the item like before."

Following the researcher's instructions, I stood before a table lined with vials.

After the equipment-type item experiment was the magic potion test.

Normally, Sylvia's mind control would shine from this point on.

This was because the side effect of the test subject feeling pain appeared more with potions than with equipment-type items.

With a clear mind, I steeled my resolve and drank the potion.

Gulp, gulp.

The liquid went down my throat coolly.

It was a form of punishment, but it wasn't a potion given with the real intent to harm, so for now, I would drink it like the controlled tail I was supposed to be.

"...Ugh."

Of course, the nausea characteristic of experimental potions was unavoidable.

After drinking the potion, I repeated the process of using the item again to compare its power to before.

A few times, the potion and the item were incompatible, causing me to feel pain.

And each time, Sylvia and the researchers were delighted to have discovered a side effect and recorded my reactions in detail.

It was the miserable reality of a tail being used as a tool, not a person.

‘Hmph… These bastards. I’ll soon shake you all down from head to toe.’

I emptied the last vial and put on the item.

Click- The bracelet-type item ‘Handwalker’ wrapped around my wrist.

As I, who had downed the potion, drew up my magic, the Handwalker vibrated finely in response.

Vrooooom- ...Fwaat-! Pat- Pow-!

When I swung my fist into the air as instructed, a tremendous amount of unstable magic was launched from the tip of my fist.

The instantaneous power was amplified, but the launching pattern was inconsistent—a result of poor compatibility.

And a side effect soon followed.

"......Hngh."

I frowned as the Handwalker began to heat up.

I felt a burning pain from the escalating heat, but I didn't let it show.

Because right now, I had to be a mind-controlled tail who faithfully participated in the experiment even when feeling pain.

There couldn't be any flaws in my acting.

"Hmm. As expected, the fever side effect is still occurring."

The researchers muttered, looking at my wrists, which were turning red.

Behind them, a quill moved on its own, recording the experiment's results.

It was a long while after the experiment ended that they treated my burns.

Even while looking at my blistered wrists, the researchers calmly focused only on their tasks.

Even if I were truly mind-controlled, this kind of pain would remain in my subconscious.

This pain was also part of the sanctions ordered by Furas.

‘In any case, then or now, what a sinister bastard.’

A cold glint briefly appeared in my eyes, which were still tinged with purple.

I knew there would be some sort of warning for becoming the vice president.

However, being treated like a proper tail for the first time in a while made me unavoidably grind my teeth.

"The treatment for the assistant boy is finished. Even if he wakes up, he'll only remember the subconscious pain."

"Good work. Will you be returning to Pasquier immediately?"

"Yes. We've obtained helpful experimental results, so we must reflect them in our research right away. I didn't expect you to readily offer up the assistant boy, but thank you anyway."

"Don't mention it. This is what the boy is for."

Leaving me sitting there with a dazed expression, Sylvia and the researchers had a brief chat.

They spoke frankly, since they could just manipulate my memories anyway.

Pretending to be mind-controlled, I kept my eyes a vivid purple and eavesdropped on their conversation.

In the midst of that, I heard something that made my ears perk up.

"To be honest, I'd like to test 'that elixir' on the boy today as well. But we've already pushed him too hard, so I doubt his body can take it."

"'That elixir'… don't tell me! Is it finally complete?"

"Yes. We just succeeded in the final synthesis yesterday and brought a sample. But testing that today as well is probably too much……."

"Too much? We brought this boy to be used for times like this. Moreover, he's in a state of having consumed a lot of magic, so now is the perfect time. Bring it at once!"

Sylvia instructed the researchers in a rather agitated tone.

After a moment's hesitation, the researchers followed her words and went to get the 'elixir'.

I knew instinctively.

That the 'elixir' they were talking about was related to the Mana Bloodstones.

‘Besides, the way Sylvia is giving orders to the researchers is quite natural. Even if they are low-ranking researchers, being affiliated with Pasquier, they shouldn't be in a position to take orders from a tutor.’

Following the drop in magic purity, this was another clue that made me doubt Sylvia's identity.

Perhaps not an official position, but some hidden aspect created such a structure.

‘If she's really a homunculus, that picture isn't strange. They're likely afraid not of the homunculus, but of the one behind it, someone in collusion with the Kirhausens.’

While my speculations continued, the researchers who had left the storage room returned carrying a large box.

It was a heavy box that seemed to contain something incredible just by looking at it.

A researcher opened the lid and took out a vial containing a clear liquid.

"So this is the finished product. Have you confirmed its effects?"

"Yes. It's still lacking compared to the Mana Bloodstone itself, but it's definite."

"But it takes too much time and too many materials for the synthesis. We had to refine 30 Mana Bloodstones over five months. And even then, it only yielded enough for three vials."

"That's because we don't have the equipment yet to get the precise synthesis ratio. If this experiment proves its effectiveness, the head of the house will provide you with more support, so don't worry."

Sylvia said so, holding the vial and releasing a little magic.

Shaaaaaaaah-

When Sylvia's magic touched it, the potion turned dark red before becoming clear again.

She nodded her head in satisfaction and walked over to me.

I, still pretending to be under mind control, meekly accepted the potion.

"Drink it. No matter what reaction your body has, you must not throw it up."

"Yes, teacher."

A murderous instruction that contrasted with her kind and gentle voice.

I hesitated for a brief moment before downing the elixir.

Gulp, gulp.

I couldn't know what effect the unknown elixir would have.

It might even be dangerous.

But right now, there was no clue closer to the current Kirhausen's secrets than this elixir.

I had no choice.

Clang-

Having drunk all of the elixir, I unknowingly dropped the empty vial on the floor.

And the next moment.

Thump-!

With an intense reaction, my mana circle began to fluctuate wildly.

A reaction so strong it was hard to maintain my composure.

The elixir's energy spread throughout my body, and every single mana particle inside me began to run wild.

"Hooooo!"

"The reaction is incredible!"

The researchers exclaimed in admiration as they watched the mana circuits flashing all over my body.

And just as they were about to give me some instruction.

Fwooooooosh-!!

My mana circle began to absorb all the surrounding magic.

"Ugh!"

"Wa-wait......!"

"What the......!"

As even their own magic was being absorbed, Sylvia and the researchers hurriedly manipulated their mana circles to confine me.

However, far from stopping, the absorption became even more active.

Even the magic they used to confine me began to be sucked in.

"Mi... Miss Patman! We have to knock him out right now! Ugh!"

A researcher, whose magic was nearly depleted, shouted at Sylvia.

But Sylvia, for her part, was also startled as she tried to knock me out.

‘It's blocking additional mind control and absorbing magic. For the effect to be this strong!’

The researchers had said the elixir's effect wasn't comparable to a Mana Bloodstone.

So she had thought it would only absorb about as much magic as was contained in an equipment-type item, but this was beyond that.

For some reason, my mana circle was rampaging as if to dry up every source of magic in the vicinity.

Sylvia was dumbfounded.

‘If this continues and the original mind control breaks……!’

It was then, as she drew up even more magic out of a sense of crisis.

Thud-!

I lost consciousness and collapsed.

With that, my mana circle finally stopped absorbing and quieted down.

Sylvia and the researchers, relieved by their narrow escape, checked my condition.

Labored breathing, a rapid heartbeat, and a wildly elevated body temperature.

Recording all the reactions in detail came before healing me.

‘This should have looked natural enough.’

Making it seem like I had lost consciousness and collapsed due to an overload was my intention.

The magic absorption itself wasn't a bad thing for me.

But even the ones who made the elixir didn't know the side effects yet, so continuing it any further was dangerous.

I didn't know what kind of internal injuries I might sustain.

I grumbled inwardly, wondering what on earth kind of potion they had made.

The researchers prodded me here and there with their wands, racking their brains.

"This kid… his mana circle isn't damaged, is it?"

"He's Master Marcel's well. That would be a huge problem……."

"Let's hurry up and start healing him."

Fearing that my usefulness would be broken more than myself, they only used healing magic after a long examination.

But even more ruthless than them was Sylvia.

"Amazing!"

"Pardon?"

"An effect strong enough to absorb the magic of a living magic source! This is tremendous progress. You've finally succeeded, teacher!"

"Ah, yes. That's right. It is a good thing."

Sylvia couldn't hide her excitement.

The researchers felt a chill run down their spines as they heard her agitated voice.

I felt the same.

Sylvia's joy-drenched appearance only emphasized her inhumanity even more.

I bit my molars without letting it show.

‘If that woman isn't a homunculus, it might be an even bigger problem.’