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What You Want

‘It’s certainly worth having built up a reputation.’

Ethan inwardly smiled as he observed the Magic Tower owner’s stern expression.

‘Normally, even if I knew about the Magic Tower owner’s corruption, he wouldn’t adopt such a submissive attitude.’

It was only natural.

The Magic Tower owner had intentionally turned a blind eye to Tresis’s corruption and was reaping numerous benefits behind the scenes.

The Magic Tower owner wasn’t foolish enough to not realize what could happen if his involvement in Tresis’s corruption came to light.

‘He must have made all the preparations.’

He would have made arrangements to shake off any dirt on himself and pin it on someone else.

If that happened, it would be useless for anyone who knew the truth to try and implicate the Magic Tower owner.

However, the current Ethan had quite a high reputation built up at the academy.

Reputation is power.

‘With a high reputation, my words carry more weight. With my current high reputation, the Magic Tower owner can’t ignore my words and sweep the corruption under the rug.’

Ethan’s high reputation was forcing the Magic Tower owner’s hand.

‘The possibility, however small, is what matters.’

The higher the position, the more wary one had to be of equally powerful forces colliding with it.

“You’re asking for the position of certification examiner?”

The Magic Tower owner, who had been maintaining a submissive attitude, once again exuded his characteristic aura at Ethan’s words.

No matter how much Ethan knew about this corruption, this request was certainly not an easy one to grant.

“That’s exactly what I’m saying. Please give that position to my escort mage, Yekaterina. As compensation for this incident.”

Ethan paid no heed to the Magic Tower owner’s strong pressure, which was enough to make one’s skin prickle.

Although his mana was significantly lower, Ethan had Hero’s Breathing.

-Hero’s Breathing is activated.

He could withstand the Magic Tower owner’s pressure to any degree.

“No matter how much we’ve wronged you and your escort mage, we can’t give the certification examiner position as compensation. It’s a position of great responsibility. It’s not a position we can give to just anyone. Because it’s in charge of the most important part of the association, we can only give this position to a mage who belongs to the association. I’m sorry, but…”

“Then I’ll join the association.”

Ethan said this and nodded to Yerica. Yerica handed over a parchment.

It was a parchment of Clean Magic with a large failed certification mark stamped on it.

The Magic Tower owner’s expression hardened as he read the parchment he received.

The Clean Magic written on the parchment was superior to any Clean Magic that had been revealed to the world so far.

If one could devise and directly use such Clean Magic, they were more than qualified to enter the association.

“I think she’s more than qualified to enter the association. So, that resolves the issue of being a mage belonging to the association that you mentioned, and her skills have been confirmed with this Clean Magic, right?”

“But…”

“You told me to state the compensation I wanted. So I did.”

Ethan shrugged as if it was no big deal.

“If you say you can’t give it, as I said before, I don’t need any compensation.”

The Magic Tower owner looked at Ethan. Ethan was wearing an expression that suggested he really didn’t mind not receiving compensation.

“I came here to register magic in the first place. If I can properly register the magic, that’s fine.”

Ethan added to that.

“But this incident will remain in my memory for quite a while.”

Ethan didn’t directly implicate the Magic Tower owner in the corruption.

‘Then there’s no need to create unnecessary trouble.’

Ethan intended to thoroughly pretend not to know that the Magic Tower owner was at the center of this corruption.

‘Pretending not to know is what’s important.’

It’s not just about pretending not to know. It was important to pretend not to know despite knowing something.

From the Magic Tower owner’s perspective, this could be the turning point.

Whether to give compensation to Ethan or not.

‘If the Magic Tower owner gives me compensation, I might seem like an accomplice. Because I’d be burying this corruption.’

That was also what Ethan wanted.

The world isn’t made up of just enemies and allies.

Also, if you make enemies, you always have to watch your back.

‘So.’

Unless you’re going to completely crush the opponent, it’s better to be like an ally.

It’s good to maintain a cordial relationship to the extent that they don’t think of you as an enemy.

‘Except when crushing the opponent, it’s better to maintain a good relationship.’

Ethan smiled slightly.

In response to Ethan’s atmosphere, the Magic Tower owner could only frown, finding it difficult to predict the cards Ethan held.

Ethan, who had been silent for a moment, opened his mouth again. The longer the time for deliberation, the more unnecessary thoughts could creep in.

‘Swift decision.’

“Of course, I don’t think Yekaterina, who has suddenly rolled in, will be able to handle the certification examiner duties well. So, you can select a mage who can assist Yekaterina and place them beside her.”

“…What’s the reason for wanting this kind of compensation?”

The position of certification examiner.

It seemed as if he had planned this whole thing from the beginning to obtain this position. The Magic Tower owner had such a suspicion for a moment, but soon erased that thought.

Because it didn’t make sense.

Controlling this entire situation just to get the position of certification examiner?

It’s impossible.

Therefore, the Magic Tower owner set aside his suspicions and asked.

“It’s because I want to give my escort various experiences. She has excellent magic skills, but since I’m a swordsman, I can’t give her diverse experiences. So I thought it would be good for her to build up her skills in the association.”

The Magic Tower owner could only nod at Ethan’s words, which flowed naturally and smoothly.

“Isn’t the position of certification examiner one where you can see many different types of magic in various ways? It’s a position where you can develop a discerning eye. It’s quite an important position in the association, so it will also instill a sense of responsibility.”

“Hmm… That’s true. Then let’s do this. As you said, I’ll appoint your escort, Miss Yekaterina, to the position of certification examiner. Instead, we’ll place a mage from the association who can assist with the certification examiner duties by her side.”

The Magic Tower owner looked at Ethan.

And then he was certain. Ethan already knew everything. He had made the optimal choice in a situation where he knew everything.

Putting Ethan’s escort in the position of certification examiner was too sudden, but on the other hand, it could be a great benefit to the Magic Tower owner.

He could bring into the association a strong ally in Ethan, plus Yekaterina, a mage with boundless potential for growth.

Having quickly done the calculations, the Magic Tower owner nodded and extended his hand.

“I look forward to working with you.”

“Thank you for accepting my sudden request.”

Ethan emphasized the word ‘request’. At those words, the Magic Tower owner’s tense expression also relaxed somewhat.

“Miss Scarlet Saint Pierre, I will certainly handle this matter. I’m sorry for causing you concern.”

“Oh, no, it’s fine. I’m glad things worked out well.”

Scarlet wore a puzzled expression. It seemed she hadn’t expected the situation to unfold like this.

Although it didn’t proceed exactly as anticipated, she was able to achieve what she wanted.

“And Miss Yekaterina, I look forward to working with you as our Magic Association’s new certification examiner from now on. There will be many difficult tasks, but those are problems that can be solved gradually.”

What could have become a major issue ended up as a mere happening.

Ding-!

-You have achieved an achievement!

-You have acquired likes for achieving the [Unbelievable Deal] achievement.

-You have gained ‘5’ likes!

Ethan grinned as he checked the reward. A whole 5 likes. This incident was a kind of deal with the Magic Tower owner.

The achievement was unlocked because it was a deal that was purely beneficial to Ethan.

‘It was a good deal.’

Behind the smiling Ethan, Mirhak, who had witnessed this entire scene, felt a shiver.

As a merchant, he could understand Ethan’s ability to set up the game even better.

Setting up a game is something any merchant can do.

But setting up a game at this level was unheard of.

Just where had this man, Ethan Whiskers, been setting up his game from?

What part of it was planned, and what part was improvisation?

Clearly, the reason Ethan visited the Magic Association was to get a magic certified.

But a variable occurred. From Mirhak’s perspective, it seemed that Ethan had recklessly assaulted the certification examiner to prevent that variable.

And the aftermath of that was supposed to end with Mirhak handling it.

But the result was strange.

Ethan actively took control of the situation and eventually stood before the Magic Tower owner.

And then he managed to get everything he wanted in front of the Magic Tower owner.

He even managed to get the certification for the magic he wanted to get certified, which was his original goal.

This wasn’t just a matter of good luck. If one could gain this much benefit from luck alone, the merchant guilds would gather lucky people when recruiting merchants.

As they left the Magic Tower owner’s room, Mirhak quietly asked Ethan.

“Did you plan all this from the beginning?”

Ethan just smiled at Mirhak.

“Mister Mirhak, please handle the aftermath well. Make sure to deal with Tresis thoroughly.”

If they left the cleanup to the Magic Tower, they would surely handle it half-heartedly. So he intended to entrust the thorough cleanup to the Garnet.

Seeing his resolute attitude, Mirhak responded promptly.

“…Yes!”

Mirhak could be certain of this now.

Yuna Garnet’s eye for people is never wrong.

***

Clean Magic was officially registered with the Magic Association.

Now, Yerica’s Clean Magic belonged to her under the name Yekaterina.

-[Clean Magic] Mage Yekaterina’s unique magic.

Yerica smiled at the parchment stamped with the Magic Association’s seal.

“You’ve taken a step, Yerica. Now your capabilities are important.”

Ethan said.

“Do you think I can do well?”

“There’s nothing to worry about. I believe in you.”

Within this Magic Association, traces of Archmage Hecate remain. According to the original quest, the core of the quest was to find Hecate’s traces and prevent Yerica’s rampage.

‘If Yerica finds Hecate’s traces, she’ll be able to fully understand magic.’

Furthermore, she’ll be able to know in more detail how her grandfather met his unjust death.

‘Her skills will improve much more than now. Plus, being in the position of certification examiner will be a great help when I continue my business later.’

Although he’s now a continental criminal and his honor is tarnished even after death, there were still quite a few people in the association who recognized the magic Hecate had achieved.

“Find Hecate’s traces. And find out exactly who your enemy is. In the meantime, I’ll prepare to unlock your third-stage curse.”

“Alright. I’ll trust in you, Ethan, who trusts in me.”

***

After entrusting Yerica with a big task.

Ethan handed the Clean Magic certification to Mirhak. Now, the Clean Magic business will officially start through Yuna.

“I’m counting on you.”

“Yes! I’ll report to Miss Yuna right away so we can start the business immediately.”

After Mirhak left, only Schudlen and Scarlet remained.

Schudlen looked cheerful. He seemed even more motivated as he would have to guard alone while Yerica was away temporarily.

“Thank you so much, Sir Ethan.”

Scarlet looked at the parchment with a moved expression. Her dyeing magic had received official certification from the association.

It was as good as declaring that this dyeing magic was a definite magic.

“This is just the beginning, Miss Scarlet. Now that we’ve been certified by the association.”

Ethan said with a grin.

“It’s time to get certification across the entire continent.”

‘It’s time to sit on a pile of money.’

Author's Thoughts

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