I Broke Off My Engagement and Got a Job at the Academy

54 – Revolution

Over a hundred pairs of eyes were fixed on Eden Keynes. He had already captured attention from the moment he entered.

There were men who felt jealous of his relaxed gaze and appearance, and women who admired him. But ultimately, most people had one common thought.

What kind of magic did he bring with him?

Since the downfall of his family, Eden Keynes, the last successor of the Keynes lineage, had disappeared from the political scene forever.

And yet, he suddenly appeared in Matop with Count Derrin and the genius avenger of Matop, Matap. Naturally, he couldn’t help but attract attention.

Among them, those who were most preoccupied were the spirits of the past Keynes.

The bloodline of the former lord stood on the stage of the Matop Society’s presentation. And it was the last presentation. The spirits of the past were desperately hoping for Eden’s failure.

It was a relationship that had already ended. Even if the last bloodline of Keynes achieved a great feat, it was certain that it wouldn’t be of much benefit.

And among them, there was someone who was just as bewildered.

“…Why, why is Eden there…?”

Ariel Cielaine. She was Eden Keynes’ former fiancée and a duchess of the empire.

Seeing Eden Keynes, she couldn’t help but be bewildered. It was understandable… She hadn’t finished sorting out her feelings for him yet.

No, could she even sort out her feelings before she died? She had such thoughts, but when she suddenly saw his face, she couldn’t help but be shaken.

What kind of reaction should she have? It was obvious that her mind would be confused, whether

“Swoooosh! The magic surged towards Idun in an instant, and the window of the storm… suddenly transformed into a sphere called ‘Devourer’ and sucked it in.

The Devourer sphere seemed to grow a little bit. Then, chaos erupted in the room.

I couldn’t understand what I had just witnessed. It was clearly a 4th circle magic. However, it disappeared instantly as if it had never existed.

Some even began to speculate that Professor Kodelia had cast an illusion magic.

And then, Idun Kairos opened his mouth once again.

“This is the effect of the Devourer.”

No one doubted that what they saw in front of their eyes was the magic Idun created, he had said it like so.

“This sphere absorbs energy within a certain range. Whether it’s magic, miracles, or the ch’i of archers and swordsmen.”

After those words, the chaotic room calmed down instantly. In return, everyone was now looking at Idun Kairos.

“It’s not an easy magic to use. It’s 5th circle magic. There won’t be many people who can use it. However… the effect, as you can see, is there. Simply by floating this sphere… the magic of lower circles or energy equivalent to them, gets absorbed by the sphere.”

After saying that, Idun Kairos smiled.

“Is there anyone here, a swordsman or a warrior, above the level of an expert?”

After a moment, a man walked confidently towards the platform. Idun spoke to the man.

“Would you like to summon your sword?”

In response to his words, the man summoned his sword. And it became so faint that it was barely visible.

“What is this…”

Before long, the sword disappeared instantly, without leaving any trace. It was truly a greed appropriate for the name Devourer.

Clap. After knocking on the wall, Idun looked around the room and spoke.

“Do you see? Even the sword of a warrior gets absorbed this easily. The bow of an archer, the miracles of a priest, it’s the same. Just by existing… this magic absorbs energy so easily.”

The room buzzed with astonishment. It was truly an effect that anyone concerned with their safety would not help marveling at.

“And the energy absorbed like that… is used to sustain the Devourer. Oh, it doesn’t digest energies other than magical ones, but they are still stored within the Devourer.”

His subsequent words also sent shockwaves through the crowd. Once summoned, it also guaranteed a considerable fuel efficiency.

“Now, this is the basic essence of this magic. Any questions?”

A magician raised their hand and spoke.

“What does this magic absorb as energy? If it absorbs everything, it seems rather useless in one-on-one combat.”

To which Idun Kairos replied with a smile.

“Originally, I am a battle mage. I don’t create magic that cannot be used in real battles. The target of the absorbed energy is ‘whatever you want.'”

Silence. The magician who asked Idun the question spoke again.

“…What does it mean to absorb ‘whatever you want’?”

“It means exactly as it sounds. Simply thinking that you want to absorb the opponent’s magical power causes the energy to be absorbed, and it can avoid absorbing the energy of allies.”

The wizard sighed at those words. If the target designation was at will… It was a magic that could be used anywhere, literally.

“Of course, using this magic as it is might be difficult… but you can use artifacts. Just releasing magical power is enough to activate the magic.”

Edun took out a necklace from his pocket and then activated the Locator just by tightly grasping the necklace. “Those who are not adept in magic can also use it.”

As it went on, people gradually began to realize what they were looking at.

This was the key to victory.

Moreover, it was the key to winning in a war.

Knights wearing artifacts absorbing magical power in the midst of enemy territory was enough to send shivers down one’s spine when thinking about the havoc they could wreak, considering they were the only ones leaping around.

Even the seasoned inspectors, wizards, and archers! Everyone lost the blessing of magic and divine power, reduced to mere mortals made of flesh and bone.

Currently, there were hardly any places where war was taking place, but when examining a few cases of war, the nature of those wars was almost the same.

Elite troops capable of manipulating a small amount of magic and divine power. Creating an environment where they could leap properly was the key to winning in a war.

Soldiers unable to use magic were nothing more than tools to create such a structure.

However, in contrast to that… a method was born to instantly reduce those elite troops to ordinary soldiers.

No, it didn’t necessarily have to be a large-scale war between nations. Local nobles often resolved conflicts using their troops as pawns. Conflict was everywhere.

And, in essence, it was the same. Hired knights and wizards creating an environment where they could leap.

Everyone instinctively knew. The one who got hold of this magic would lead, and those who couldn’t would decline.

The biggest problem was… such magic was created by the last bloodline of a family that had not been on good terms with the imperial family or anyone else.

In the empire, of course, they would go wild to get hold of this magic. But could they really?

Something was changing. If you didn’t even know that, there was no way you would be present at this academic presentation. That’s why everyone realized it.

Only one person, an individual, had created this magic. And such individual-created magic was heralding a violent upheaval.

So, in people’s minds, there was only one word.

Revolution. There was no other way to express it.

…

After finishing the presentation, I approached Professor Seris and Codelia. Then, Seris embraced me with a bright smile.

“You did really, really well. Amazing… truly.”

Tiny droplets of tears were even forming in her eyes. I patted Seris on the back and hugged her.

Professor Codelia looked at me like that.

“Uh, why aren’t you saying anything?”

Then, for some reason, Professor Codelia seemed to be in a bad mood. I awkwardly hugged Professor Codelia too.

Only after that did Professor Codelia smile at me and say, “You did well.”

“Well done, my disciple.”

Saying that, Professor Cordelia gently patted my head.