Became the Patron of Villains Chapter 318 : Something Feels Off (5)

Heinkel, the Archmage recognized as the "Goblet of the Beginning" and the one responsible for decoding Light magic for Alon, wasn't actually deeply invested in the ongoing display, though she felt a spark of curiosity.

Her indifference stemmed from two primary factors.

Initially, Heinkel was unable to replicate the magic Alon utilized.

Despite her vast knowledge, she couldn't fathom why this specific magic was exclusive to him, though she had her suspicions.

She sensed that Alon’s unique capability was tied to the mysterious eye looming behind him—or perhaps the woman bound to his side.

The only fresh insight Heinkel had gained was the realization that Alon’s spells originated from a lost epoch, once wielded by those known as "True Mages."

The second factor was the nature of the magic being analyzed: Light, a mere first-tier spell.

It was incredibly basic.

For anyone dedicated to the path of magic, it was a foundation-level spell that no one ever failed—nor should they.

Consequently, Heinkel hadn't anticipated much from it.

While digging into ancient truths usually revealed interesting nuances, she didn't expect a simple spell to defy established standards.

That dismissal lasted only until Alon actually manifested that Light.

Heinkel stared blankly at the assembly of mages, who were now paralyzed in a heavy silence.

Every person in the room was gazing at Alon with wide, disbelieving eyes.

Under normal circumstances, Heinkel would have mocked such a reaction.

She often looked down on mages who grew overly excited by trivial spells that could be cast with a mere flick of the wrist.

However, she found herself unable to laugh this time.

Though she couldn't see her own reflection, she knew her expression likely mirrored the shock on the faces below.

In fact, she was perhaps more shaken than any of them.

From the moment Alon’s spell took shape, her instincts had already begun deconstructing other tiered spells to harvest their secrets.

Her intellectual hunger, which had grown stagnant over centuries of boredom and casual teaching, was suddenly revitalized.

The magic Alon displayed had awakened a dormant greed she had been suppressing while waiting for a significant "moment" to occur.

As these intense desires pulsed through her, she watched Alon with trembling eyes—

Alon flinched, a sudden wave of nausea washing over him.

He hadn't felt it initially, overwhelmed by the sheer scale of the Light’s power, but as the wonder subsided, the reality of mana depletion hit him hard.

“Hmph—”

With a surge of willpower, Alon fought back the urge to gag.

Had he been alone, he would have collapsed and vomited immediately, but his pride as a human remained.

He could feel the suffocating weight of the crowd's attention.

The entire audience remained motionless, their focus locked entirely on him.

He refused to show such weakness in front of them.

Acting on instinct, he turned and began walking toward Penia, who was still standing there, frozen by what she had seen.

The moment he took a step—

“May I ask a question?”

A mage dressed in a green robe, who had remained quiet until now, rose slowly from his seat.

Swallowing back his nausea, Alon looked back with an expression that signaled he had no choice but to listen.

The mage, visibly agitated, cleared his throat and spoke,

“That magic you just performed—what exactly was it?”

It was the inquiry every mage in the hall was dying to make.

Yet, none had possessed the courage to speak up until that moment.

Now, every eye in the room pivoted back to Alon.

Feeling the immense pressure, he carefully considered his reply.

“Light.”

He gave them the simple truth.

“Are you truly claiming... that was Light?”

The mage’s voice shook as he repeated the question.

Alon considered offering a deeper explanation, but the sickness was rising too quickly.

He merely gave a short nod—

And turned away to exit the stage.

Immediately following Alon’s departure—

“Was that really Light?”

“Impossible—”

“But it had to be. We all saw that distinctive faint glow, didn't we?”

“True. No one here is so unskilled they wouldn't recognize it.”

“Then—what exactly did the Marquis just show us?”

The fragile silence broke like glass.

With Alon gone, the mages began shouting over one another, and the hall descended into a chaotic buzz of conversation.

“Does this mean... he showed us a higher evolution of Light...?”

Following that single observation from a mage—

“Is that even possible?”

“That’s absurd!”

“If it wasn't that, how do you explain it? It wasn't just Origin magic.”

“Exactly. What the Marquis invoked was undeniably Light.”

The hall, previously held in a state of awe, now erupted with a noise greater than a crowded marketplace.

One hour later—

Mages who arrived late to the demonstration stepped into the now partially ruined hall—

“Well... the Marquis’ magic was certainly something...”

“But what happens to our own research now...?”

They found the place deserted, not a single person remaining.

They were left with nothing but a sense of profound emptiness.

***

Shortly after, Alon used the divinity of the Primordial Elf to restore his body.

He muttered to himself, still feeling the lingering exhaustion of mana depletion.

“Finally, I can breathe again.”

He let out a heavy sigh—but his peace was short-lived.

Evan, who had been lost in thought, called out to him.

“Marquis.”

“Yes?”

“That really was Light magic, wasn't it?”

“How many times are you going to ask me that?”

“I just... it felt like something else entirely, no matter how much I think about it.”

Evan scratched his head in confusion.

Secretly, Alon found himself agreeing with the sentiment.

He had never anticipated that such a fundamental spell could produce such a massive effect.

“I expected some variation. I thought there would be a difference, but not on this scale. It’s natural to be shocked, right?”

Alon nodded in silent concurrence, and Penia, standing beside them, joined in.

“True... Light is supposed to be a utility spell. But there is something even more concerning.”

“What’s that?”

“You didn’t actually form a bond, did you?”

Alon nodded slowly at Penia’s observation.

She was correct.

All he had obtained through Heinkel’s assistance were five incantation phrases.

No contract had been established.

This meant the magic he had just displayed was still in an incomplete state.

“Wait, you’re saying that wasn’t even the full version of the spell?”

“It’s the same as the Ice Crystal Catastrophe from before. You were there with the Marquis, so you should remember, right?”

Penia answered Evan’s stunned question with sharp clarity.

Evan fell into a brief silence.

“Marquis, the next time you use that… please make sure I’m far away.”

“...Why so suddenly?”

“I have no desire to be roasted like a chicken, thanks.”

He spoke with conviction, the memory of the Ice Crystal Catastrophe fresh in his mind.

Observing this, Penia continued.

“The ability likely isn't static. It will probably manifest in various forms.”

“I suspect so as well.”

“Honestly, the more we uncover about ancient magic, the more captivating it gets. I feel like dropping my current work just to research this.”

“I feel the same way.”

Alon agreed with a nod.

In truth, most of Alon’s magical pursuits had been a struggle until now.

He had been chasing faint echoes in a vast void, making progress only by inches.

But now?

He finally possessed the guidepost he had been searching for.

And it wasn't just any guide—it was tiered magic, a system both he and Penia understood well.

Because of this, Alon was filled with a sense of wonder.

He knew that extracting data directly from magic was an incredibly arduous task, but the thrill of discovery was enough to drive him forward.

Just as that motivation reached its peak—

[Are you feeling better?]

Heinkel appeared, phasing through the wall.

“I’m fine.”

The moment Alon replied, Heinkel got straight to the point.

[Then I want to discuss the real matter at hand.]

“...What matter?”

[I want to conduct a serious study of tiered magic. Will you assist me? Let’s be blunt—you’re struggling to decode tiered magic on your own, aren’t you?]

Alon nodded.

It was true; extracting information from tiered magic was proving to be a significant challenge for him.

[I will handle that part of the process.]

“Then I’ll—”

[What I need from you is simple: just continue showing me your magic. That is all.]

Heinkel seemed momentarily caught off guard by something, but she quickly regained her composure and looked away.

“I see no reason to turn that down.”

[Then we have an agreement.]

Both of them shared a look of mutual satisfaction.

***

A day later.

After receiving proper instruction from Heinkel on how to draw additional data from tiered magic, Alon prepared to leave the academy.

He would have preferred to stay longer, but he couldn't leave Ryanga alone for an extended period.

“Hm… I wish we could have stayed a few more days to learn. It’s a bit of a pity.”

Penia muttered, looking somewhat disappointed.

Alon responded,

“Well, I’ve learned what was necessary.”

“That’s true. And we left Sparrow with her, didn’t we? That should help Lady Heinkel’s tiered magic research move along faster.”

Before departing, Alon had entrusted the jewel containing Sparrow to Heinkel, believing it would be beneficial.

“Since Heinkel is focusing on the first tier, I assume our next project will be Magic Bolt?”

“Before we do that, we need to find a pact spirit.”

“Of course, that goes without saying.”

As Penia and Alon mapped out their future—

“Oh, Marquis. I have a report for you.”

“Information?”

Evan stepped forward with news.

“Yes. An unusual occurrence has been reported in Ashtalon. It seems powerful figures are being dispatched to investigate.”

“...Powerful figures?”

“Yes, it sounds like three of them are on their way.”

“Is Historia among them?”

“No? From what I’ve gathered, she isn't involved… It’s someone from the North, the Dragon King, and the Hidden One. I believe those are the three.”

“I see.”

“Oh, and there’s also news regarding our Divine Land.”

“What is it?”

Alon’s interest sharpened at Evan’s words.

Evan scratched his head, sounding a bit hesitant.

“Well… it seems the population entering our Divine Land has actually grown.”

“It increased...?”

“Yes.”

“Didn’t we predict it would likely decrease?”

“I’m not entirely sure why. But it’s a fact that people are still flocking to the Divine Land.”

“Why?”

“I don't know either. Perhaps... more people are arriving than leaving?”

“It feels like quite a bit of time has passed already.”

“That’s true… Ah, why not check the divine power?”

Following Evan’s suggestion, Alon understood immediately and shut his eyes.

Then—

“...?”

He opened them again.

“Did you see something?”

Evan asked quickly.

Alon remained silent and closed his eyes once more.

“?”

Evan tilted his head in confusion.

Alon opened his eyes again.

“???”

Looking utterly bewildered—as if a cloud of question marks was hovering over his head—he closed his eyes one final time.

And what he witnessed—

—was a planetary Divine Land that had expanded to an impossibly massive scale.

Amidst his shock, one realization became clear.

Something far beyond his control was happening within his once-modest Divine Land tycoon.