NOVEL WEB Chapter 7
The Regular Academic Conference kicked off.
At the Mage Tower of Mars, a diverse crowd gathered from all corners of the Empire.
Representatives from massive trading guilds that could sway the Empire. Archpriests from major religious orders in the Empire.
Journalists.
Technicians.
And more, and more, and more.
The upper-class figures, all buzzing with curiosity about the developments in magic, were mostly assembled at the tower.
“Archpriest! Long time no see! Haha!”
“Baiqal, it’s been a while! Haha!”
People chatted leisurely while sipping on an array of snacks, tea, and liquor in the exhibit hall.
And everyone present had their eyes glued to the representatives of each branch tower, who were ready to present their papers.
While it seemed like a casual gathering, it was effectively a chance to figure out who would be the next Tower Master or the leading figure driving magic development.
“I hear you’re the author of the representative paper from the Mars branch. Haha! Congratulations! It’s always nice to see outstanding intellects flourish.”
“Erpa! It’s been too long! I’m looking forward to your new representative paper!”
Countless people, mainly the elite of the Empire, approached Erpa endlessly, requesting handshakes.
Despite having four arms, Erpa struggled to manage all the greetings.
But she didn’t feel bad at all.
No way.
‘I’m being recognized.’
Everyone was looking at her.
Everyone was extending their hands, showing interest in her.
Even her parents, who had once rejected her in disgust, were now acknowledging and accepting her.
Erpa felt tears welling up.
And every time this emotion surfaced, she reinforced the close magic on her silver mask that covered her left cheek.
There was no way.
She could never let it be discovered.
Erpa promised and promised again.
The moment her hideous face was revealed…
Just imagining the outcome made her soul feel like it was crumbling.
She wanted to keep being recognized.
She didn’t ask for much.
Just normal human interaction.
She wanted to blend in and live among people.
She didn’t want to be cast aside again, hurt, and live alone in loneliness.
-They just thought that she was hiding to cover the seriously twisted and distorted face on the left side.
Just yesterday.
Tydel had suddenly come by and casually tossed a knife-like remark that kept looping in her head.
Tydel.
The witch who had hated and envied Erpa from the moment she arrived at the tower.
What would she even do now?
It didn’t bear thinking.
Please, just let today pass without incident.
Erpa wished and wished.
“I hereby declare the start of the 213th Regular Academic Conference! Everyone, please take your seats!”
Finally, the conference began.
Countless people settled into their seats.
And the authors of the representative papers from each branch tower, including Erpa, moved to the back of the stage.
They were getting ready to present.
Erpa, too, went to her designated spot to finalize her paper and polish her presentation.
Fortunately, Tydel was nowhere to be seen.
Her anxiety still flickered, but Erpa managed to shake off her unease.
The close magic on her mask was something she had devised herself.
It wasn’t something easily undone.
Moreover, just to be safe, she had physically attached the mask to her face with a thin thread.
Even if Tydel had some sinister intent, pulling off her mask wouldn’t be easy.
‘Let’s shake off these stray thoughts. Erpa.’
She wouldn’t get found out.
No matter what happened, she wouldn’t be caught.
Erpa silently vowed as she continued her presentation preparations.
***
The Regular Academic Conference showcased tremendous research worthy of its status.
Papers on new mana engines.
Papers on innovative healing potions.
Papers on boosting the flight speed of airships.
The applause in the conference hall grew loud, as the presenting wizards and witches came down from the stage looking proud.
And finally.
“The representative paper from the Mars branch tower. The Study of Primary Colors!”
It was Erpa’s turn.
Slowly, she stepped onto the stage.
She felt the thunderous applause and countless gazes fixating on her.
Erpa took a deep breath.
After a polite bow, she slowly conjured a holographic display of her research content into the air and began her presentation.
The study of primary colors was about optimizing magic.
Researching how to cast larger spells with less mana.
As the explanation continued, the looks of those in attendance shifted.
This was revolutionary.
A practical study that could be applied in various fields, and it held a perfect academic form.
Creativity, innovativeness, progress.
Not a single aspect was lacking; it was a flawless study.
“That concludes my presentation on the Study of Primary Colors.”
The moment Erpa’s voice echoed in the hall, everyone stood up and began applauding.
“Excellent! Absolutely amazing!!”
“This is the greatest research I’ve heard in a while! Perfection! Erpa!”
Erpa gazed at the faces of those applauding for her.
Overwhelmed, she had to quickly turn her gaze away.
She was being recognized.
She had finally made the scene she always dreamed of a reality.
No more rejection.
No more persecution or abuse.
People would love her now.
With that thought, Erpa tightly clasped her four trembling hands and quietly bowed her head.
“Thank you.”
She wished this moment would last forever.
As Erpa lowered her head, the applause grew even louder.
Tydel was nowhere to be seen.
“It seems we have decided on the next Tower Master.”
Jurgen, the Tower Master, said with a smile that could barely be heard even from the stage.
Could it get any happier than this?
Just as Erpa smiled and lifted her head,
Clap. Clap. Clap.
Someone started to applaud loudly on purpose and walked forward from the audience towards Erpa.
Tydel.
The smile faded from Erpa’s face as she saw her.
Many of those who had been applauding stopped and turned to watch Tydel, who was purposely breaking away from the group.
“It’s an excellent paper! An outstanding achievement! Truly remarkable.”
Tydel said, raising her voice with a smile.
“If you weren’t hiding a hideous truth beneath it.”
A murmur began to spread like wildfire throughout the hall.
Panic.
Astonishment.
Displeasure.
Anger.
Jurgen stood, his face filled with displeasure.
“Tydel. What do you think you’re doing?”
“I know I’m going against the rules. But there’s a truth that must be revealed.”
“No matter what truth it is, such actions are unacceptable. Return to your seat at once…”
“Abomination!”
Tydel interrupted Jurgen’s words, shouting.
Everyone froze at that one word.
Especially the Archpriests of the White Church, whose expressions turned grave.
“The Witch Erpa is an abomination! Everyone! She has been deceiving us! A being that brings misfortune and disaster has been hiding among us!!”
Tydel smugly gestured towards Erpa’s silver mask.
“Inside that face! A hideous and disgusting visage lurks! She’s been hiding it from us for over ten years!”
“Is that true?”
The White Church Archpriests couldn’t contain themselves and stood up.
“It must be confirmed! Did you see it for yourself?”
“Of course. Behind that mask is a grotesque face that seems to taint the soul.”
She had never seen it.
Naturally.
Erpa had never revealed her left face.
She was known to wear her mask compulsively while meeting people, and even wore it while sleeping.
In cold logic, Tydel was practically gambling.
If Erpa were to just throw off her silver mask and show a fine face, she would suffer considerable damage.
Even if a hideous appearance emerged, as long as it wasn’t painfully grotesque or horrifying, just a common scar, she would be ruined.
Only if a shockingly disgusting sight awaited beneath the mask would she succeed.
And Tydel believed she had a high chance of success.
Because she knew Erpa well, having hated her.
She had watchfully observed and studied her because she wanted to win.
Therefore, she felt certain.
“I swear on my honor and my position as a witch affiliated with the tower.”
With her bold declaration, Archpriests from the White Church pushed through the crowd to move closer.
Some elders who had viewed Jurgen and Erpa favorably stepped forward to block them.
“This can’t be! To investigate a witch or wizard of the tower requires authorization! You can’t act just on one accusation!”
Jurgen protested with gruff defiance as an Archpriest from the White Church raised his voice.
“Then I formally request an investigation! If the majority of the wizards and witches from the Mars branch, over 70%, agree, we can proceed! Call the wizards and witches in right now!”
“Must you go this far?”
“We must! Abominations are not something to be treated lightly!”
“Historically, most people reported as abominations were merely rare disease patients! 9 out of 10 were!”
“And 1 out of 10 truly caused a major disaster!! Especially if it’s a witch, the severity increases!! It could unleash disasters that could obliterate the Empire!! Start the vote immediately!!”
With a firm voice, Jurgen realized he had run out of options.
“Gather the tower’s wizards and witches…”
“No need for that! Tower Master. I’ve already summoned them.”
Tydel clapped as if she had been waiting for this moment. At her signal, numerous witches and wizards who had been waiting outside the conference hall filed in.
“75 wizards from the Mars branch. This exceeds the 70% mark, so we can vote, right?”
Tydel’s beam made Jurgen regard her with a complicated expression.
But ultimately, Jurgen had no choice but to step back.
“One of the witches affiliated with our tower is suspected of being an abomination. As everyone knows, such terminology was often used in an era of lacking understanding towards those with rare diseases. The White Church is formally requesting the authority to investigate Witch Erpa.”
Jurgen slowly surveyed the wizards and witches.
“Erpa is an excellent witch. She has never harmed anyone and has always walked the path of magic with dedication. Her talent should be utilized for humanity’s benefit. That is my belief.”
Jurgen took one last look at Erpa, who was frozen on stage, trembling.
“The request from the White Church is absurd. Erpa is not an abomination. I believe that. I hope everyone shares my thoughts.”
After he finished speaking, Jurgen took out his wand from his pocket and waved it in the air.
A massive balance scale appeared before them.
“Now we’ll vote on whether to heed the White Church’s request or not.”
Numerous wizards and witches raised their wands to hold them in hand.
Light burst from the end of the wands and began to gather slowly towards the balance scale.
Erpa watched the scene with a tense expression.
Please.
She had made an effort to be kind to everyone until now.
No matter how she thought about it, she hadn’t done anything to alienate the wizards of the tower.
Not everyone would be like Tydel.
Not everyone would try to abandon her out of jealousy.
Erpa wanted to believe that.
“The voting has ended. We will now commence counting.”
The scales began to tilt slowly.
Erpa could only watch as the scales tipped.
A tear fell from her eye unbeknownst to her.
“Out of a total of 77 votes… 56 votes have been cast. The Mars branch tower accepts the request for an investigation from the White Church.”
Jurgen, with a heavy heart, declared it.
It was the moment Erpa, who had tasted heaven, fell into hell.