Overpowered Archmage Doesn’t Hide His Talent
Chapter 62: Well, it’s a decent magic. Good talent.

Chapter 62 – ▶ Well, it’s a decent magic. Good talent.

[ The magic tool called ‘Dream’ seems to belong to the illusion category. ]

[ The beginner’s area is currently sealed off. ]

The meeting proceeded quickly, and Flan summarized the information he collected from the bloodsuckers.

No one tried to resist him, and no one doubted him.

He could get any information he wanted on the spot.

This was because the bloodsuckers had a dot-like organization structure, and also because Maiev was such a rare and mysterious freak.

It didn’t take long for Flan to finalize his Flan and strategy in his head.

Now all that was left was to give orders.

“Teresa.”

Flan called her name softly.

She opened her eyes wide and pointed to her chin with her index finger.

“Me, me? Yes!”

He only called Teresa, but the rest of the bloodsuckers also straightened their posture and swallowed their dry saliva.

“Listen up, all of you.”

It was a short command, but it was irresistible.

There was no bloodsucker who didn’t pay attention.

“First, no student should die.”

The bloodsuckers nodded silently. Or, they didn’t even do that, looking at Flan’s mood.

Their goal was to prepare an exhibition that would satisfy the ‘princess’.

Therefore, Maiev’s black magic, which was called ‘taxidermy’, would not cut off the target’s breath… But still, it was necessary to prevent any accidents.

“Second, move all the works to the room I designated. I’m going to gather them all together.”

The instructions given as a result of the meeting were only two.

There was no bloodsucker who didn’t understand this content.

And there was no bloodsucker who opposed it either.

Flan got up quietly from his seat. sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ N0ᴠᴇFɪre.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of nøvels early and in the highest quality.

He smoothed his clothes, which were not even slightly wrinkled.

“Let’s go.”

The bloodsuckers, including Teresa, followed Flan quietly.

The way from the cocktail bar to the beginner’s area was not far.

They didn’t need to walk long.

The moment they stepped into the beginner’s area, they saw all kinds of works scattered around.

Flan picked one of them.

[ Hanging Man ]

It was a picture of a person who was tied tightly by one ankle and hung upside down in the air.

*My ankle hurts so much. It feels like it’s going to break. Please stop.

He interfered and flipped the person in the picture over, then Flan muttered.

“Take it.”

The bloodsuckers hurriedly took it.

He felt that they deserved some credit for their quick action, and Flan looked around the beginner’s area again.

“…Only the staff.”

There were no students.

Among the many things that had turned into works, there was not a single one wearing the academy uniform.

In other words, the students had not been taxidermied yet.

Flan began to examine each work carefully.

[ Abstract ], which erased the eyes of the person, [ Smoking Lady ], which placed the staff in a pile of fog, [ Tightrope Walking ], which made them hang on a single line…

Even among these many works, there was not a single one that had a student taxidermied.

But as he moved further inside.

A picture that took up a whole wall came into his sight.

[ Sandpaper ]

The students were in this picture.

The background description in the picture was so detailed that it was hard to tell apart from the real reality.

They didn’t even know that they were already trapped in the world of the work, and the students were looking around the situation there.

At this point… His plan was also not too late.

No, it was just right.

“Teresa.”

“Yes, yes!”

Flan said calmly.

“From now on, you just have to record the appearance of all the students.”

“All of them… Do you mean all at once? Or one by one in detail?”

“One by one, as detailed as possible until they are taxidermied. When they turn into works, move them to the room right away.”

Even in the midst of the abnormal situation, Flan was calm and composed, and he was about to move his steps toward the room.

“Hey, hey! Lord Maiev!”

Teresa called him in a hurry.

“Then… What do we do after we finish recording?”

Their eyes met in the air.

Teresa showed an awkward smile, revealing her teeth.

Flan answered lowly.

“The dean will come.”

The dean.

Who was the dean again?

Teresa racked her brain quickly.

“…The dean? Oh, you mean Sushia?”

“Yes. If you see her, tell her to come to me. And let her know that I’m waiting.”

With that, Flan left. His steps were firm and confident.

“Yes…!”

Teresa watched his proud back for a while, then started to record the situation of [Saphora] in detail.

◈

A dazzling space.

The shining jewels and the intricate patterns of the decorations elicited admiration.

At least, they were not suitable for the interior of the ‘dean’s office’.

And.

In the center of the dean’s office, a woman was resting her chin on her hand.

“Hmm~”

The woman was humming a tune, looking quite happy.

Her neatly combed hair had a silver hue like the dew of the elves, and her pointed ears twitched in response to her mood.

At a glance, it seemed like a pleasant scene, but… if anyone actually saw it, they would not have any appreciation for it.

Her curled up lips were too grotesque.

Sushia, the dean of the novice area.

She was also known as the master of disguise among the blood demons.

“Hmm~”

With one hand, she rested her chin, and with the other, she examined the copy of the picture [Saphora].

Along with her leisurely humming, her face was filled with a satisfied smile.

Sushia had stuffed countless rabbit dolls into [Saphora].

At the same time, she also added a picture of a very large monster.

This monster, with eight human heads attached to it, gave a sense of disgust.

It was very suitable for inducing fear in the students.

[Cut open the belly of the dolls and find the key.]

[If you don’t find it in time…]

[The monster in the picture will come alive~]

She did not forget to add a friendly guide text.

As soon as that happened, all the students started to move like ants, tearing open the bellies of the dolls.

─Not here either! ─No… no…

“Ah~ kids, look harder~”

Sushia giggled.

The key did not exist in the first place.

All this was just for Sushia’s ‘amusement’.

This situation itself was a ‘work of art’ for her.

“Before I show it to the princess… I can enjoy this much, right? Hmm. Hmm. Of course.”

Soon, ‘fear’ began to emerge from the picture.

A certain amount of fear was converted into red mana.

Therefore, blood demons had no choice but to scare and threaten someone else for their entire lives.

But it was not only for survival.

The act of extracting and swallowing fear itself gave them a crazy pleasure.

It was right for both survival and enjoyment.

It was just Sushia’s driving force of life.

Then, the trivia rang.

[ *Violet ]

[ ▶ Are the students’ tests going well? ]

[ ▶ Are you following the rules? ]

[ ▶ Please report in the middle. ]

“Ugh…”

Sushia made a face and tapped the trivia.

[ ▷ It’s going well~ ]

“Hmm~”

Shusia’s gaze turns back to the painting.

─That thing… that thing is crawling out! ─The freezing magic doesn’t work!

It’s natural that the magic doesn’t work.

It’s the world that Shusia created in the painting.

─Kyaaak!

The monsters start chasing the students. They turn everything they touch into paintings.

“Puhuh…! Puhuhu… I’m dying of laughter…”

Shusia’s lips are full of smiles.

It’s a bright smile, but there’s only malice in the corners of her mouth.

The pleasure of hurting and scaring others.

This can only be expressed by the word malice.

Shusia moves her fingers a few more times.

The painted students are thrown out of the [Saphora].

Only those who are still intact, struggle to escape from the monsters and give Shusia joy.

When her fingertips slowly stopped, all the students were already painted and the [Saphora] was empty.

“Let’s just do this much for now… It’s a pity that I can’t kill them. If only you weren’t the princess… Hehehe.”

Shusia laughs as she stretches.

Torturing humans is always fun, no matter when or how.

“But…”

Soon, Shusia’s expression became subtle.

She moved her hand slowly and looked over the names on the list.

She drew a line over the name of the student who was painted, but there was one name that was still intact.

“Flan.”

Flan.

Shusia muttered the name again.

“As expected… he’s a weirdo.”

Shusia smiled.

Her eyes, which were thin as if she had drawn a line, curved softly like a crescent moon.

He was a strange guy from the first time she saw him.

He had a peculiar aura, so she deliberately touched him.

If he was a normal student, he would have died on the spot.

Even if he survived, the circuit would have been completely destroyed.

“Good.”

Shusia slowly got up.

Even with her light movement, the gray robe waved and her curvy silhouette was revealed.

“I’ll find you and paint you myself.”

And not long after, Shusia was able to step on the floor of the first zone.

The scenery that caught her eye was gruesome and also pleasant.

Ordinary humans who were not students of Merhen Academy or related to the Saphora were mercilessly turned into corpses.

Janitors, ordinary guests, shop workers…

The corpses that were sucked dry of blood were quickly cleaned up by the bloodsuckers.

Some moved the paintings, some the corpses, some the bloodstains.

This was not a strange thing.

Bloodsuckers were originally like that.

But.

“Be careful, move it.” “I know, you don’t have to tell me.”

“…?”

The student paintings that popped out of the [Saphora] were transported by the bloodsuckers without any trouble.

This was the problem.

They volunteered to help without being told?

No, it felt a little different.

…It was more like following someone else’s command.

“Ah. President.”

And then.

The person from the related side pretended to know.

‘This is also a bloodsucker.’

The person whispered in Shusia’s ear.

“I’ll guide you. Maiev is waiting for you.”

“…?”

At the absurd story.

Shusia stopped and doubted her own ears.

“…What the hell are you talking about?”

“Just as I told you. Let’s go.”

Shusia’s eyebrows narrowed slowly.

Maiev is waiting for me… In other words, someone is impersonating me.

‘How dare, who?’

Shusia’s interest was aroused.

She didn’t know who it was, but it was clear that he was a gutsy guy.

“Ha…”

Shusia snorted.

She asked Teresa one word at a time.

“So… you’re saying that Maiev is waiting for me right now?”

“Yes. It’s true. You have to move right now.”

Shusia looked at Teresa’s eyes with suspicion.

But there was no trace of any lie in Teresa’s eyes.

She was being sincere.

“The one who is famous for disguising himself… You mean that bloodsucker?”

“Yes. Oh, we have to move right now…”

Teresa started to panic at Shushia’s gentle voice.

“You know, the taxidermy magic. You’ve heard of it, right?”

“Of course I do.”

I was the one who invented it. How could I not know?

But that’s why the next words that Teresa uttered were so shocking.

“It’s unbelievable when you see it for yourself. He made portraits, sculptures, and even prints at the end… Anyway, let’s go.”

“See it for yourself…?”

Shushia’s expression twisted completely.

She was not pleased at all.

So she impersonated my abilities too? How dare he, copying my taxidermy magic?

“Lead the way.”

“Yes?”

Teresa was taken aback by Shushia’s fierce voice.

Shushia urged him on.

“I said lead the way. Let’s go.”

“Ah, yes.”

They started walking.

Teresa’s footsteps showed no hesitation. She looked loyal to anyone who saw her.

My curiosity overcame my annoyance.

Who was this guy who impersonated me?

“Aha. Is this it?

When they finally reached a large door, Shushia muttered.

This was the room where the ‘dream’ was stored.

Teresa nodded slowly.

“Yes. That’s right.”

“Hey.”

Shushia turned to Teresa sharply.

“What’s wrong with you?”

“What should I do with a dog that can’t recognize its master…?”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

Teresa was innocent.

It was just that Shushia’s disguise was too good.

That’s why he was only irritated.

“If a dog can’t recognize its master, should I be proud of my skill? Or should I beat the dog up?”

Teresa frowned.

“I don’t understand what you’re saying…”

“You don’t have to.”

Shushia started to reveal his red mana without hiding it.

Teresa’s eyes widened.

“You’ll find out soon enough.”

“Yo-you don’t mean─.”

Teresa gasped and quickly pulled up his red mana, but it was too late.

Four frames trapped her faster.

[ Blind ] *Oh, I can’t see anything. Nothing.

Teresa was taxidermied on the spot. Two black lines were drawn over her eyes.

“This is what real taxidermy is. Pathetic.”

He didn’t even glance at the letters written in the explanation.

Shushia slowly walked toward the door.

Clack─

Gathering her red mana and fixing her hair, Shusia passed through the huge door.

A long corridor revealed itself.

‘Dream’ was a very high-grade magic tool. It had to be stored separately like this.

Just being in the same space would suffocate and kill a low-level mage, let alone causing sparks or circuit damage.

The impostor too… He must have enough power to stand in the space where ‘Dream’ was.

She became more interested.

At the end of this corridor, that arrogant bastard would be waiting for her.

Clack─.

As she reached the end of the corridor, another door greeted Shusia.

“…”

As if it had been waiting for her alone, the door was already slightly open.

That’s why ‘greeted’ was an appropriate expression.

Shusia opened the door with telekinesis and walked in.

“Hmm…”

And then, she let out a sound that even she couldn’t understand.

A dark and huge room, a cold and chilled air, a tremendous amount of magic emanating from ‘Dream’…

That was all as expected. But.

In the corner, a visual record was playing very loudly.

It showed the process of how he had stuffed the students one by one at [Saphore].

Also, the stuffed products that were arranged at different angles like a real exhibition, and the large papers that were stuck in the air with something written on them.

“…”

Shusia picked up one of the papers with her hand and looked at it.

[ Becky ]

▶ Good understanding of the ice element.

▶ Shows too much shaking in unexpected situations. This is a lack of faith rather than a lack of talent.

Clack─

“What is this…”

Shusia’s hand clenched the paper.

But beyond the crumpled paper, she saw many more papers, all written in the same way for each student.

She swept them all away with telekinesis at once.

And finally.

What came into her sight was, a mage standing firmly.

An imposing and handsome figure, elegant and red eyes that shone even though he was not a bloodsucker.

Black hair and pale skin that seemed to bind the shadows, and a sharp jawline.

The owner of the flawless blue mana.

“So you were the one who did this prank?”

Flan.

In the middle of the exhibition that was opened only for him, he slowly turned to Shusia.

Bang─!

At the same time, a paper flew like a ray of light.

Shusia stopped it in front of her eyes with telekinesis.

[ Maiev ]

▶ Well, a decent magic. Good talent.

Good talent.

Talent. Talent. Talent…

“Huh…?”

A vein popped on Shusia’s forehead.

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