"That's… fourth-tier magic!"
The old mage pointed fearfully at Viktor, who was floating in the air, and uttered those words.
Instantly, the entire grand hall fell silent.
"Fourth-tier magic!?"
"Could it be that Viktor has already become a fourth-tier mage?"
"Impossible!"
None of the mages present dared to believe what they were seeing.
Count Beck rubbed his eyes, and when he opened them again, that blazing sun was still suspended above.
"This isn't an illusion…"
If Viktor stopping the volcano's eruption alone had merely shaken their confidence, then now, Viktor wielding fourth-tier magic, was pure despair.
In the empire's long history, never had anyone achieved such a feat.
Twenty-nine years old. A fourth-tier mage.
The density of his magic power and the sheer strength of that spell made it impossible not to believe.
Viktor had truly become a fourth-tier mage. It was now an undeniable fact.
The Second Prince squinted, gazing up at Viktor in the sky.
That figure, like a god of flame, seemed as if it could swallow him whole in the next second.
The terrifying heat continued to rise sharply.
Before him, the already fully-formed magic array pulsed ominously.
If Viktor so much as moved a finger, every mage present, and the Second Prince, would be burned to ashes.
This kind of overwhelming aura could never belong to third-tier magic.
Suddenly, the Second Prince smiled faintly. He reached out and extinguished the fire on his clothes.
Then, he faced Viktor and bowed.
"I believe you."
"My apologies, Mr. Viktor. I doubted you."
"I hope you and Commander Gwen can understand. In such circumstances, suspicion is entirely reasonable."
The temperature in the grand hall dropped sharply.
Viktor dispersed the magic array and landed gracefully, the flames on his body reforming into his crimson coat.
The effortless control of his magic left every mage astonished.
At that moment, Viktor's strength was recognized by all.
Even the emperor looked upon him with admiration.
Many mages seemed to realize something; the clever ones immediately smiled flatteringly.
"Mr. Viktor truly has incredible talent! A fourth-tier mage at twenty-nine, such a person must be one of a kind even beyond the empire!"
"Even among the Empire's Holy Mages, there are only a handful, correct?"
"With this, our empire has gained another Holy Mage. Our power grows ever stronger!"
The mages who had just been questioning him quickly changed faces, showering Viktor with praise.
Only a few proud old mages remained silent, watching Viktor without speaking a word.
All of them had been stuck at the third tier for decades.
"See you at the summit," they used to say, only to find that they were the ones at the base of the mountain.
Even if Duke Levi had reached the fourth tier, they wouldn't feel jealous, only respect and genuine congratulations.
But Viktor? The infamous "mad genius mage"?
To think that the man they despised had surpassed them and become a Holy Mage first… it was infuriating.
They were so angry their back teeth were nearly grinding to dust.
"How hateful!"
Gwen also watched the situation turn unexpectedly in Viktor's favor. She blinked.
'He… how did he suddenly become this strong?'
She wanted to step forward and ask him, but now was not the time.
With the Second Prince's surrender, the outcome of the court assembly was already decided.
After nine long years, Viktor once again reminded the world of his name as a genius.
"Alwether, step down," the emperor said, waving his hand, using the prince's full name to dismiss him.
The Second Prince gave Viktor one last glance, turned, and bowed.
"Yes, Father."
He flicked his cloak and left the hall.
"Viktor."
The emperor crooked his finger. "Come. Let me have a closer look at the youngest Holy Mage in the Empire."
Viktor stepped forward confidently, meeting the emperor's gaze head-on.
Even though a powerful fourth-tier mage now stood before him, the emperor's eyes didn't waver in the slightest.
Viktor bowed respectfully. "My apologies, Your Majesty."
"It's fine."
The emperor asked, "You said you defeated a monster, then the volcano won't erupt anymore, correct?"
Hearing this, Viktor shook his head and explained, "I couldn't kill that beast. I only defeated it and sealed it back inside the volcano."
"At least for now, the volcano won't erupt again."
"Of course, if it breaks the seal once more, I will defeat it again."
The emperor nodded, joy appearing on his face.
"Good!"
"You've removed a great danger from the Empire. I must reward you."
"Speak, what do you desire? Status? Power? Wealth?"
Now that Viktor was a fourth-tier mage, such a strong magician should not remain a mere viscount. He deserved far higher standing.
But Viktor shook his head and said, "I haven't decided yet. So, I hope Your Majesty will allow me to keep the reward for later."
The emperor nodded, approving his request.
The more he looked at Viktor, the more he liked him. Without thinking, he said, "You've surpassed your father."
Viktor didn't care.
His father had long been dead, and even if he were alive, he wasn't Viktor's real father.
Viktor looked down and saw Duke Levi still kneeling on the floor.
He remained there, head lowered, like a sinner awaiting judgment.
Just as he had at the beginning.
Viktor said, "Your Majesty, there's one more matter."
"I'd like to plead on Duke Levi's behalf."
The duke suddenly raised his head, looking at Viktor in disbelief.
The emperor let out an intrigued "Oh?"
"Viktor, speak your mind."
After receiving permission, Viktor nodded and said,
"In this matter, Duke Levi was also involved."
"He and I had an agreement. I would enter the volcano to battle the beast, while Duke Levi would command the magic array from outside."
"If I failed, Duke Levi would then unleash war magic to suppress the creature."
The emperor lifted his head and looked at Viktor approvingly.
"So, you succeeded."
That statement wasn't just an answer to Viktor, it was also meant for all the mages present.
But there were still fools among them. From the crowd, one shouted, "Impossible! Absolutely impossible!"
"You and the Duke are unrelated! There's no way you cooperated!"
Viktor turned his head and gave him a cold, mocking glance.
"Erica du Croy is my most outstanding student."
"Do you still have questions?"
That mage immediately fell silent.
At that moment, everyone remembered that Viktor also held another identity, he was the youngest professor ever at the Royal Academy of Magic.
Viktor's plan was flawless, airtight, every piece had long been in place.
No, there was still a chance for the others to turn things around.
The mages who'd hoped to step on the duke eagerly looked toward Gwen.
But to their disappointment, what came from her mouth was a cold, unwavering statement, "Your Majesty, Viktor is not lying."
The emperor laughed heartily, sitting tall upon his throne, and announced his final judgment, "Levi, not guilty."
———
Viktor left the royal palace expressionless. Not a single mage dared to stop him.
At the gates, a black crow perched on the railing, waiting for him.
Viktor walked up and gently stroked the crow's head.
"Viktor Clavenna."
Duke Levi came out and called his name the moment he saw him.
Hearing his name, Viktor turned and gave the duke a brief glance.
Duke Levi was a kind man, but even now, faced with the one who had just saved him, his expression remained cold.
"State your purpose."
Viktor's hand froze mid-stroke on the crow's head. He placed Vega back on his shoulder and met the older man's eyes, eyes that faintly resembled Erica's.
"What purpose does the Duke think I have?"
Levi's gaze grew dangerous.
Viktor sighed softly. "My lord Duke, being protective of your daughter is no crime."
"Don't worry. I already have a fiancée."
The duke immediately thought of the knight who had dared to "lie" publicly before the emperor and all the mages.
He hadn't expected that the famed righteous knight would lie, for Viktor's sake.
It was said that the two had a poor relationship, but now it seemed… not quite so.
He relaxed slightly.
"However, since Your Grace has said so…"
As Viktor spoke, his tone shifted slightly.
The duke looked at him and suddenly felt a hint of calculation in Viktor's eyes.
"It seems I can't just leave Erica alone… without doing something, can I?"
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