The Absolute Beings Obsessed with My Defeat Addiction

CH 23



To gather more detailed information about the Royal Academy and our main client, Helen, the method I chose was a direct approach.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Max, the instructor for today’s one-day class on Illusion Magic. I run the ‘Illusion Theater’ on the outskirts of the capital, showcasing desires. It contains the essence of Illusion Magic, so I hope those interested will come visit.”

Becoming a one-day instructor, I planned to observe Helen and those around her for a day at the academy.

So, I immediately contacted the dean and expressed my desire to give a simple lecture on Illusion Magic for the students.

– Max wants to be a one-day instructor? We can certainly make room for him!

Although Illusion Magic doesn’t receive much respect, it still remains a required subject at the academy.

This is because, in the so-called dark world, such as back alleys and black markets, it was common to evade the eyes of the guards and investigation agencies through Illusion Magic.

While it may lack combat power, it is a useful skill for fugitives to avoid being monitored.

‘That’s one reason why Illusion Magic is looked down upon.’

It’s a type of magic that thugs in back alleys would use.

To catch those wanted criminals, one would need to learn about Illusion Magic, yet there were hardly any mages specializing in the Illusion school.

In fact, it was just Professor Meiko and me.

Thus, Illusion Magic was often taught by mages from other schools who dabbled in it rather than by dedicated Illusion Mages.

I, too, may not be as renowned as Professor Meiko, but I am a mage recognized across various schools.

That’s why the dean welcomed me with open arms.

It had been a long time since a specialized Illusion Mage had come to the academy to lecture.

I believed it would be quite beneficial for the students.

As I stood in front of the classroom filled with Royal Academy students, I felt a fierce gaze of animosity from somewhere.

I didn’t need to turn around to know who it was.

It must be Helen De Silvesta.

She would surely suspect my sudden appearance.

Could it be that I came to threaten her?

‘Don’t worry. I’m here to make your pure desires more detailed.’

And to promote my shop as well.

Business has been terrible.

I need to do something like this just to keep it running.

“Now, since you all probably know the basics of Illusion Magic, let’s talk about something you might not be familiar with. Usually, academy students learn Illusion Magic to detect the illusions used by wanted criminals…”

Throughout the lecture, I shared my gaze among all the students.

And I found the ‘loser’ that Helen so despised.

A timid gaze.

Shoulders hunched up tightly.

And the way he glanced nervously at the thugs sitting next to him.

To anyone, he appeared to be at the very bottom of the class’s food chain.

‘So that’s what he looks like.’

I could understand why he hadn’t left a proper impression in Helen’s mind.

He was truly an ordinary-looking student.

One you could find anywhere.

Except for his slightly worn clothes, he was just an utterly unremarkable student.

“While it’s said that one looks for gaps to understand or dismantle Illusion Magic, that’s a high-difficulty method. There’s a better way. It’s to find the flow of mana. Generally, it’s hard to feel, but there will be points where the flow of mana is disrupted. For example…”

Having observed the loser enough, I refocused on my lecture.

I made sure to use the full two hours of lecture time without a moment’s rest.

Since I was being paid, I had to do my job properly.

As I conducted the class, I noted the faces and personalities of the students present.

I couldn’t delve deeply into each one’s inner self, but just by observing their focus during the class, I could get a rough idea of what kind of students they were.

‘That alone will feel sufficiently real to Helen.’

The most important one was the ‘loser’ she thought of as ‘Propad Youngsik.’

Throughout the class, I could distinctly feel Helen’s glare directed at me.

She must be quite tense.

“…That’s all for today’s class. I believe you all have gained a bit more understanding of the essence of Illusion Magic.”

As I wrapped up the class, I spoke to the students.

“Oh, and as I mentioned earlier, the Illusion Theater is always waiting for guests. If you have an interest in desires and illusions, feel free to come by anytime.”

After finishing my final promotion, I gathered my teaching materials and headed outside.

“Hey. Max… no, Instructor.”

Helen called out to me just as I was about to leave.

“What’s the matter?”

“What are you thinking coming here?”

She lowered her voice and growled, glancing around.

“I came to teach Illusion Magic. Is there any other meaning?”

“…What do you want?”

“Do you think I’m here to threaten you?”

She looked around again at my question.

“Come outside.”

On the surface, she seemed like an enthusiastic student bombarding me with questions about the class, but I wondered what she was so worried about.

I led her outside the classroom to a secluded spot.

“I didn’t expect you to come out so shamelessly.”

“I think you’re misunderstanding. I have no intention of threatening you, my lady.”

“Then why are you here?”

“……You’ve seen our shop, so you know. Business isn’t going well. There are no customers. I’m here to earn some living expenses as a one-day instructor and to promote the shop.”

“Is it really that bad?”

“Yes. There are hardly any customers.”

“……Really? Not a single lie?”

“Of course. I have no intention of threatening you at all. Every single customer is precious to me. If you want, I can swear on my mana.”

I have no intention of threatening you at all.

I might have a desire to gather information, but that’s not a lie, is it?

Only then did Helen take a step back, understanding my sincerity.

“……I’m sorry, I thought you were here to threaten me.”

“I wouldn’t do such a thing. Don’t worry. If you think of me later, please do come by.”

“…….”

“I have no intention of touching Silvesta, not even a little.”

Why would I poke a hornet’s nest?

That would just hurt.

“Anyway, if you’re done here, I still have things to do.”

Helen nodded.

I was relieved that she finally seemed to understand my sincerity.

As I distanced myself from Helen, I looked for the ‘loser’ she mentioned.

He was standing more comfortably than in the classroom, away from the thugs.

“Propad Youngsik.”

“Ah, Instructor.”

“Can we talk for a moment?”

“Me…?”

“Yes. I need to conduct a simple survey.”

For our precious customer, of course.

***

I was truly surprised when the owner of the illusion shop visited the academy.

‘Is he here to threaten me?’

There are often those types.

People who dare to covet or target her massive influence, Silvesta.

I wondered if this man was one of them.

Throughout the class, I watched him with suspicion.

He must have some ulterior motive for being here.

However, Max finished the class more ordinarily than I expected.

He didn’t send any telepathic messages or threats to her.

Even the class itself was beneficial.

I learned quite a few useful tips about Illusion Magic that I couldn’t hear from regular professors.

“As I mentioned earlier, the Illusion Theater is always waiting for guests. If you have an interest in desires and illusions, feel free to come by anytime.”

Is he really going to leave like this?

No way.

He must be aiming for something.

He wouldn’t just leave like this.

She hurriedly grabbed Max as he was about to leave.

But the response she received was:

“Business isn’t going well. There are no customers. I’m here to earn some living expenses as a one-day instructor and to promote the shop.”

Helen recalled the shop she had seen.

Not a single customer had come while she was enjoying the illusions.

‘So that’s why there were no customers?’

No way.

Really?

“I have no intention of touching Silvesta, not even a little. Anyway, if you’re done here, I still have things to do.”

Having finished speaking, he left as if he had no interest in her.

“Did you really come to do the instructor job?”

His behavior made it seem as if he had completely erased the memory of the previous incident, and she suddenly felt embarrassed.

It felt as if she was the only one who vividly remembered that day.

‘It feels like I’m the only one who became a lewd woman.’

It was as if she couldn’t forget the pleasure of that time and was clinging to it alone.

“No. Get a grip.”

This wasn’t because she couldn’t forget the pleasure from that time. She was just anxious, wondering if this man was trying to threaten her.

Yes.

That’s it.

‘Get a grip. Don’t waver.’

As she sighed and tried to calm her heart, she saw Max taking the loser, no, Propad Youngsik away.

“What’s going on?”

Why is he taking that loser with him?

He clearly said he wouldn’t threaten me.

“Could it be…?”

Is he planning to use that man to threaten me?

She quietly hid and waited for Max, who entered the counseling room with Propad Youngsik.

She wanted to eavesdrop on the counseling room, but it was a room perfectly sealed off from the outside to maintain student confidentiality, so no sound could escape.

“Ah, I can’t hear anything.”

Helen anxiously paced near the counseling room, her feet tapping.

‘Why am I so flustered? I’m Lady Silvesta.’

She was someone who should be looked up to and respected by everyone.

It should be that man who should be anxious, not her.

“Ugh… this is frustrating.”

But the one who clearly held the initiative was that man.

She had been caught in his weakness.

Then it happened.

The door swung open, and the two came out.

“Thank you.”

Propad Youngsik, no, the loser, emerged from the counseling room, greeting Max with a bright smile.

“If you have any concerns in the future, feel free to talk to me. You seem to have sufficient magical talent, so don’t worry too much.”

“Y-You’re the first person to say something like this to me. I’ll really do my best.”

The loser, who seemed to have become an ardent disciple, deeply bowed to him and returned to the classroom.

Helen followed the loser and called out to him.

“Hey, loser.”

“Uh, uh? L-Lady Silvesta.”

“What did you talk about with that instructor?”

“Huh? The instructor? Why do you ask…?”

“Don’t try to hide it.”

Her voice was cold.

There was no point in interrogating Max anyway.

So, the only option left was to dig into what this loser had heard from that Illusion Mage.

Threatening a man like this would be a piece of cake.

“Spit it out quickly. I’m getting annoyed.”

“Well, um…”

“Stop stalling!”

I was angry.

Was it because of the experience I had in the illusion?

Every time I looked at this man’s face, my discomfort deepened.

“He said I have excellent magical talent. If I want, he’ll write me a recommendation for the Meister school…”

“Is that all?”

“That’s all…”

“…….”

Is that really all?

I stood in front of the counseling room for this trivial conversation?

“Don’t lie.”

“I’m telling the truth! Why would I lie? I can swear on it.”

That man, Max, also said he could swear.

On his mana.

“Then do it.”

“Huh?”

“Swear. Swear on your mana that what you just said is true.”

“…Okay.”

He gathered his mana in a completely timid voice.

Then he carefully placed the swirling mana against his chest.

-I swear by the rules of mana that there is no falsehood in that statement.

The words spoken in runes ended, but nothing happened.

It was the truth.

“Is that really all?”

“Yes… um, Lady Silvesta, do you have something going on with that instructor? Why are you so anxious…?”

“None of your business!”

Helen shouted, glaring at the loser for a moment before leaving the spot.

No. There must be something more.

If he’s a mage who uses Illusion Magic, he must have employed some trick that she didn’t know about.

She shouldn’t believe everything so naively.

How arrogant.

So arrogant.

‘Max… what on earth are you thinking?’

She thought she would have to visit him again to confront him and confirm her suspicions as she returned to the classroom


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