Turning Chapter 1262

~5 minute read · 1,322 words
Previously on Turning...
Yuder and Kishiar investigate the life of Melach Cantinto, discovering his connection to a nameless magical sect and his unusual entry into the Imperial Mana Institute. They examine a report on the 'Airik Expedition Investigation Group Death Incident,' where a village was engulfed in fire and monsters, only for the fire to mysteriously subside and the monsters to be found dead. This event mirrors the legend of the 'Blessing of the Great Mage,' which Melach Cantinto may have received.
As Kishiar’s words continued, the tale that had once seemed detached and like ancient history became vividly real. Having collated all the old documents he discovered, Kishiar reached a definitive conclusion. “It appears the Pearl Tower back then was determined to suppress this event as swiftly and completely as possible.” “Was it to verify if the miracle was genuine?” “That was certainly a factor, but… I also sensed it was more about safeguarding their own prestige.” According to Kishiar, that particular period was marked by extreme animosity between mages and the temple. “It’s said that the Tower Master of that time openly disparaged the Temple of the Great God, even going so far as to declare he would refuse a priest’s healing, even at the point of death. That should give you a sense of the prevailing sentiment.” “That is… more severe than I had imagined.” “Precisely. They were prepared to go to extreme lengths simply to avoid appearing vulnerable before their adversaries.” Due to the Pearl Tower's swift actions to conceal the matter, the Emperor's faction at the time remained entirely unaware of its occurrence. The event simply persisted as a fading legend, transmitted through oral accounts among those who had witnessed it. “I do wonder how the Pearl Tower investigated that mage… though I suppose that’s asking too much.” “Not necessarily.” To Yuder’s astonishment, Kishiar offered an unexpected reply. “You don’t mean… you discovered that as well?” Kishiar offered his customary eye-smile and produced a fresh document. “Your antique shop owner friend from your hometown was extraordinarily intriguing. I began looking into her the moment I returned—I had to ascertain the true nature of the person she was.” Sallandin had maintained she left before truly becoming a mage, a claim that neither Yuder nor Kishiar found credible. “If she attended that magical academy, she couldn’t have been merely a novice. Furthermore, her recollection of the theory connecting the so-called ‘miracle of the gods’ to the ‘Blessing of the Great Mage’ passed down within that academy… it suggests a rather profound link.” If that were the case, the most direct route to uncovering what that magical academy knew would be to trace Sallandin’s history. Upon his arrival back in the capital, Kishiar immediately deployed personnel to investigate Sallandin’s past. It proved challenging, as she had been an active mage a long time ago—yet fortunately, she had never altered her name. Eventually, they located her. “She was listed among the mages who had been expelled from the Pearl Tower. Officially dismissed 43 years ago.” “What led to her expulsion?” While mages were not easily perturbed by minor transgressions, certain offenses were deemed absolutely forbidden within their world. And among these, the most grave was… “She «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» harmed her master. That was the grounds for her expulsion.” She had violated the sacred bond between master and disciple. “She asserted her master had pilfered her accomplishments, but she lacked the proof. Consequently, she was cast out. Following that, it seems she abandoned magic entirely. A regrettable turn of events, but that is not the crucial detail.” Kishiar then delved into the institution Sallandin had been affiliated with prior to her expulsion. The rationale was straightforward. “She mentioned learning about the magical academy from an acquaintance at the time. If we can locate that individual, it might unlock access to further information.” And they already possessed a lead. Sallandin had described this person as “an elder mage with whom she studied back then.” Thus, Kishiar sought out any mages who had studied under the same mentor during the same period as Sallandin. The result was singular. “Her master did not accept many disciples. Fortunately for us.” Sallandin’s senior mage was not notably renowned. However, true to the scholarly nature of mages, he had produced a considerable volume of written works in his area of keenest interest—specifically, the history of mages. “He devoted his entire existence to researching obscure histories within the Pearl Tower from a magical standpoint. I meticulously examined every paper and publication he left behind, and I discovered this.” The document Kishiar presented appeared to be an excerpt from one of these writings. At the apex of the page was inscribed: “Divine Miracle, or the Blessing of the Great Mage?” “The very phrases Sallandin once spoke to you are recorded here, identically. The author of this paper investigated the fate of the mage at the core of that incident and the methods employed to conceal it. He even referenced internal documents accessible only to those within the Tower.” Perhaps it had been a colossal event in its time, but now, with all involved long deceased, it had devolved into legend. Yet, this mage had sifted through formerly classified records and compiled testimonies from Pearl Tower insiders to reconstruct the happening. Yuder shifted his gaze to a passage Kishiar had underscored.The journals penned by the mages who delved into the incident showcase their perplexity and exasperation regarding the inexplicable occurrences.

—From the diary of the investigator, Mage Anameshimo.

“Poor Misere,” presumed to be the name of the mage resurrected from death, “appears to have descended into utter madness. He asserted knowledge of his identity as Misere, yet simultaneously proclaimed he might be another person, repeatedly uttering ‘I know nothing’ numerous times each day.” The mage frequently referenced arcane arts previously unknown to him—practices said to be employed exclusively by the revered Great Mages of the Founding Era. Notably, he spoke of "Spatial Linking," a unique technique belonging to Luma. This astonished many, likely contributing to the investigators' records of his claims of being a Great Mage himself. Investigators theorized that during his "state of stopped breath"—a veiled term for death—his consciousness might have been entirely erased. To aid in recovering his lost memories, they employed various mystical procedures. While precise details remain elusive, it is believed several now-prohibited and formidable spells were utilized. Despite these efforts, the investigators ultimately failed to ascertain the mechanism by which a human could return from the afterlife. The "investigation" spanned approximately half a year before its conclusion. This likely marked the end of Misere's brief second existence. The assembled mages concluded their official report by definitively stating that "healing magic" does not exist. However, in a private correspondence penned years later by one of the investigators to a confidant who would later ascend to the position of Tower Master, the following poignant lines were discovered: “It feels peculiar. Whenever Misere comes to mind, I find myself considering the possibility that his assertions held truth. Perhaps it's merely a reflection of the world’s current proximity to its end. If his words were genuine, what became of the Misere who preceded him? Should we have offered him our belief and assistance?” The friend's reply indicated emotional strain, advising only to imbibe spirits and seek rest. The matter was thereafter never broached again within the esteemed Pearl Tower. Nevertheless, if the legend passed down in that arcane institution holds any veracity, and if it truly was the "Blessing of the Great Mage," then perhaps the mage who received it gained profound insight into this reality. What might have been his deepest desire? Could there have been another mage who met death and returned, even prior to him? These are indeed captivating inquiries for any practitioner of magic... yet they are ones for which we shall now never find answers.

The underlined text concluded.

Yuder gazed at the concluding passage, absorbed in thought for an extended period. A multitude of reflections coursed through his mind.

“...You are correct. He bears a striking resemblance to my grandfather.”

“Does he not?”

“Personally, the notion that someone might have existed before my grandfather and this mage as well troubles me the most.”