I Planned a Su*cide Mission and Got Kicked Out of the Party

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Jenis Harker unloaded her luggage at the mansion and immediately headed towards the Magic Tower.

The atmosphere in the city was much colder and gloomier than Jenis remembered. Signs of large-scale military mobilization were evident throughout the area. As she passed in front of the Imperial Palace, it was clear that the number of guard soldiers was significantly less than usual, and the once bustling market had virtually shut down due to a lack of goods.

The market fared better compared to the outer taverns, which had essentially gone out of business, creating an eerily quiet and desolate scene. If the prohibition on alcohol were to be lifted, it was uncertain when their businesses would be allowed to reopen, so they hadn’t completely destroyed everything like the old taverns near the brothels. However, the taverns filled with nailed-up wooden doors felt more sinister than just gloomy.

From the perspective of those who ran those shops, it would have been more bearable to be a young man dragged off to war as a soldier. The royal family wasn’t financially stable enough to grant unemployment benefits, so those shops that had closed due to the alcohol ban were left desperate to find some alternative work unless they chose to enlist.

During such times, it was not easy for businesspeople to find a quick way to earn a living. Whether going down to the countryside to farm, staying on the islands and changing their business type, or choosing an entirely different path, none were easy decisions.

The Empire was slowly collapsing. On the surface, it seemed like the northern military campaign was causing a multitude of issues, but ultimately, it was merely surfacing events that would have occurred eventually, and were already in the process of happening.

The pressure from the Demon King’s Army was as painful to the internal factions as it was a threat to the foundation of the Audrich Empire.

Looking at the rapidly deteriorating city, Jenis couldn’t help but acknowledge the significance of Walter’s hasty northern campaign decision.

This war had to come to an end. The country had endured for far too long in an unusual manner. Heroes were proving the saying that heroes emerge in troubled times, with many nationalistic heroes arising, carefully selecting and deploying capable individuals to restore the nation’s capabilities to their limits.

But even that couldn’t last forever. As long as the threat of the Demon King’s Army remained, the military needed to be maintained, and sustaining the military would require draining the lives of the people.

The northern military campaign was inevitable. Perhaps it was already too late.

“Still the same regardless.”

Jenis muttered at the entrance of the Magic Tower. Having confirmed her top graduation from the Imperial Magic Academy, Jenis had received proactive recruitment offers from the Magic Tower even before her graduation.

There were somewhat attractive positions available. There were research roles in fields that interested Jenis, and for just enlisting as an apprentice, she could secure treatment equivalent to that of a Legion Commander in the Imperial Army or a knight.

Although Jenis focused more on the battle mage position rather than the researcher role, an unexpected situation arose when Jeongjae was suddenly expelled from the islands, forcing her to hastily put her own career plans on hold and follow after Jeongjae.

Initially, the reason she considered pursuing battle magic was that it would allow her to create more connections with Jeongjae, who was ‘the Hero’s companion.’ Confident in her abilities and talent, Jenis hoped that if she were fortunate, her exceptional performance on the battlefield could lead to her being selected as the Hero’s new companion.

Of course, she was well aware that, at this point, that hope bordered on delusion.

She had witnessed both Jeongjae’s battles and Margaret’s. Those were not the type of fights she could keep up with merely by accumulating experience.

It was… different in some way. Though Jenis could barely contribute and certainly provide some help, the absolute difference in their levels made it clear she couldn’t stand shoulder to shoulder with them.

Unless something hidden within Jenis flourished and led her to significant growth, it was certain that the gap wouldn’t close in the future.

For various complex reasons, Jenis submitted her application for research support at the Magic Tower today and arrived punctually for her appointment.

The Magic Tower stood cold and firm, just as ever. According to ancient tales, during an ancient war long ago, this tower had been dismantled like a military base and transported for battles, but Jenis couldn’t fathom how on earth they managed to dismantle such a high tower that looked like it surpassed 30 meters and moved it hundreds of kilometers.

After she knocked on the Magic Tower’s door and waited a moment, someone opened the door and walked out slowly.

Jenis could immediately recognize the identity of the person who came out. It was Gwen, the Sage of the Magic Tower, the highest-ranking individual in the tower.

“Ah, you’ve arrived, Lady Harker. I was waiting for you. For quite a while, actually.”

“Sage, why did you come out personally?”

Even though she was a top graduate, Jenis hadn’t expected the Sage of the Magic Tower would come out to greet her, causing her to feel flustered. Gwen laughed lightly as if to dismiss her worries and waved her hand.

“Even an old man needs to move from time to time. If it’s a rare visitor like Lady Harker, my behind will naturally get up. Come in. Let’s talk in my room.”

After nodding, Jenis followed Gwen inside the tower.

Though she had heard Jeongjae frequently complain about the atmosphere of the Magic Tower, Jenis found this place’s atmosphere even more pleasant than during her university days.

The Imperial Magic Academy was the premier educational institution comprising only the finest-selected mages of the Empire. Despite the old saying that studying magic meant sticking one’s face in books until a sudden death at the desk, once graduated, most cases would lead to the emergence of outstanding talents sought after by the Magic Tower.

The talents there were capable, yet the capable mages mostly came off as eccentric.

Some mages spent an entire day researching ‘why mages have such peculiar personalities,’ leading to a variety of bizarrely twisted magician behaviors.

Though Jenis appeared normal, she possessed a frightening potential for her strange personality to spill out if poked. She generally put on a front of propriety in front of Jeongjae, but even that often faltered.

For her, the peculiar atmosphere of the university felt far more oppressive than the Magic Tower’s atmosphere that was genuinely liberated and conveyed the desire of mages to finally release themselves to create personal magic.

“They’re all working hard.”

As Jenis climbed up the stairs towards Gwen’s room, she looked around at the mages in the tower and commented. Gwen nodded in agreement while continuing the ascent. Though his body was old, the Sage’s speed climbing the stairs was not slow or lacking compared to the young Jenis.

“This is a critical time when effort is essential. Truth be told, I wouldn’t recommend the research position to students right now.”

“Why not?”

“The freedom for researchers to explore new magic is increasingly diminishing. Currently, most research-oriented mages are busy attaching offensive and defensive magic effects to weapons and armor coming from the Imperial Workshop to complete their day’s tasks. What you see, dear lady, are primarily mages enjoying their free time.”

“Oh, so that was their free time.”

Jenis recalled the mage trying to create some bizarre humanoid chimera with her own hair and quickly said. It seemed ludicrous at a glance, as she continuously failed, yet the mage didn’t give up, with half of her head already bald from cutting her own hair.

“Exactly. They’re using the rest time allotted by the Magic Tower to research magic that they find they enjoy the most.”

“Well, at least they’re not forcibly cutting people’s hair in the Magic Tower.”

Jenis nodded, curling a lock of her fine, silver hair. Gwen chuckled pleasantly. Just then, as Jenis was climbing the stairs, she suddenly stopped and looked up.

“What’s up there, Sage?”

“The room just above is mine. That’s where we’re headed.”

“And above that room?”

“Do you feel something?”

Gwen observed Jenis’s expression curiously as she cocked her head.

“I know what should normally be there. However… I doubt that’s the case in the area I’m aware of.”

“Speak honestly. What kind of mana energy does Lady Harker sense?”

“It’s complicated. But strangely… it feels dark. No, it’s rotten. There’s a bright energy, but it’s dreadfully rotten and stinks. Why…”

Jenis looked down at her hands. Her expression showed that she was also confused by the mana energy coursing through her body.

“Above there is Reyna’s red orb, right?”

“That’s correct; it is the Sage’s staff.”

“Is there anything else besides that orb?”

“Only that orb, dear student.”

“That can’t be. Did I misidentify the smell? There’s no way such powerful dark mana exists in Reyna’s red eyes. For a moment, I thought maybe an ancient relic of the Demon King was sealed there.”

“You’re not wrong. In fact, it’s very close to the truth. For now, let’s go up to my room. It’s better to temporarily set that issue aside and discuss something more comfortable.”

Even still confused, Jenis followed Gwen’s words toward the Sage’s room.

There was a certain reason behind Jenis’s confusion. Reyna’s red orb was a powerful magical tool that had adorned the staff of the Magic Tower’s leader, Reyna Serem, who was known as the Great Sage a thousand years ago.

That orb possessed terrifying powers to observe far places, even across different realms and times, and it was legendary for its immense contributions in defeating the first Demon King.

No mage in the tower had succeeded in mimicking or recreating that ancient magical artifact developed by the ancient Sage. The legendary artifact is still referred to as ‘the Sage’s Red Eye’ and is utilized as a key reconnaissance asset of the Magic Tower.

At the academy, there was no real emphasis on teaching about that magical artifact. Since everyone was aware of its existence and nobody could replicate it, there was no point in teaching it.

Jeongjae occasionally mentioned that magical artifact, though he also stated that he wasn’t sure how that red eye operated, but thought it was a very sacred and powerful form of necromancy.

Then what on earth was it that made such a sacred magical artifact emit the foul dark scent that even Jenis could unmistakably detect? Was it that it wasn’t a tool of light but one of darkness? Was everyone in the Magic Tower aware of this while keeping it concealed from the academy students? Even Park Jeongjae?

Noticing that Jenis was still fixated on the ceiling across from Gwen, the Sage smiled softly.

“Not everyone can sense the darkness from that orb like you, dear student.”

“Really? Then who can?”

Jenis hurriedly turned her attention from the ceiling to look at the Sage. Gwen nodded and answered.

“First off, I can’t. In fact, I find it very difficult to discern any type of mana from that orb. The logic contained within is too mysterious and complex for this old man’s head to grasp.”

“If it’s not you, then… Baron Harriet…”

“He can’t either. I’ve already confirmed it. I had him come upstairs while pretending to know nothing, allowing him to examine the orb directly, but the Grand Mage merely said, ‘It’s under a tremendously complex spell; I can’t replicate it,’ and has never mentioned sensing any darkness from that orb.”

“If he felt nothing, then I must be wrong.”

Feeling deflated, Jenis spoke, as she held absolute trust in Jeongjae’s mana perception. Gwen shook her head while still sporting a warm smile.

“No, dear student. It’s clear that someone trustworthy, even more so than the Grand Mage, foresaw this situation.”

“Who might that be?”

“Walter Hellhound. The Hero mentioned, ‘The darkness of that orb is hidden so thoroughly, but for those who know how to smell, it will come as a stench more putrid than that of rotting corpses.’ Would you like me to add something?”

“Uh, yes, please.”

“The Hero named two individuals who are most likely to notice it first, namely the Grand Mage Park Jeongjae and Lady Jenis Harker. Given that the Grand Mage felt nothing from the orb, it seems that… Reyna’s gaze has been continuously fixed on Jenis Harker.”

Jenis couldn’t comprehend her words. Everything the Sage said sounded utterly absurd and strange.