Chapter 68: The Price of Composure

At Levan’s command, Peron couldn’t stop the twitching of his cheek as he retorted.

“What nonsense is that! You’re wagering your neck, so how could I possibly...!”

“Ah, forget it. I’ll get my head from the Tower Master, so you just cast your spell. If you don’t want to, suit yourself.”

Levan was serious.

After all, the reason he’d come here in the first place wasn’t to topple the Gald Tower, but to seize the magic these people possessed.

So, unable to win against Levan’s insistence, Peron reluctantly accepted his conditions.

“You foolish war mage! Just don’t come to regret your choice!”

“Yeah, yeah, whatever you say.”

Now that the stakes were set, the duel was about to begin.

“Good, good! For magicians, both of you have some bold spirit. We can have the duel right here, yes?”

“Yes.”

“Very well! Let the duel begin!”

---

[The duel begins.]

---

Along with the system notification, a long health bar appeared above each of their heads.

It wasn’t a fair duel, so they were free to use whatever they had to take down their opponent.

As soon as the duel started, Levan chanted Hold.

“Hold!”

He summoned a 22-cube—one he could solve without looking.

Levan solved the 22-cube in an instant and used it on Peron. Then he pulled a bookmark from his coat and chanted again.

“Hold!”

---

[Hold activates.]

---

Chun-ng—!!

‘As expected.’

A pleasant sound rang in his ears, and a satisfied smile formed on his lips.

Just as he thought.

Peron was wearing an item that provided skill defense for his body, so the first Hold was nullified.

The lack of any sound from the first Hold was proof.

So, to avoid wasting the stronger spell on Peron’s skill defense, Levan first used a low-grade Hold, then a higher-grade one for the second.

The moment the second Hold activated, Peron’s body stiffened like a stone.

Levan didn’t miss the opening and swung his Black Iron Rod.

Smash!

No need to drag it out.

Levan aimed for the head.

Peron’s health plummeted after being struck at a vital point, and after a few more hits, Peron was defeated.

---

[The opponent is now incapacitated.]

[You have won the duel.]

---

Peron’s subordinate magicians rushed to his fallen body. At the bland result, the God of Duels shook his head and spoke.

“Levan wins.”

“Yeah!”

It was a foregone conclusion.

A fight he’d been certain to win from the start.

The God of Duels spoke to Levan.

“Claim your reward.”

“Yes, God of Duels.”

Peron’s magic floated before his eyes.

But the magic cards appeared blurred and hidden.

“Huh? Why can’t I see them this time?”

“That’s the standard rule.”

“Tch, understood.”

So, the blind pick was the standard, huh.

He’d never heard that before, but there was no point arguing with a god, so Levan quietly chose his magic.

Of the four cards that floated before him, Levan selected the second.

---

[You have acquired Calm Meditation.]

---

The magic he obtained was called Calm Meditation.

As the reward was given, the god wore a bored expression and waved him off.

Levan spoke to the fallen Peron.

“With skills like this, what magic are you doing... Instead of being cooped up in this tiny room reading books, go outside, get some sunlight, and make some friends.”

“Y-you...!”

The defeated had nothing to say.

Peron’s subordinates trembled, but since he was the one who had beaten the Sub-Tower Master, none dared confront him.

So Levan cheerfully mocked them.

“I’ll come again. Next time, I hope your boss is here too. See ya!”

Having obtained what he wanted, Levan left the tower with light steps.

---

*       *       *

---

‘Now, let’s have a look.’

After moving to a suitable spot, Levan checked the information of the magic he’d obtained as a duel reward.

Of course, he wasn’t worried about the city guard tracking him down.

After all, even though Gald Castle was within the city and Levan had caused a ruckus, this was still a matter between magicians.

If they had any pride, they wouldn’t stoop to using outside forces.

“Check Calm Meditation.”

---

[Calm Meditation] / [#Unavailable]

-Grade: Rare.

-Rank: F (0.0%)

-Effect: Meditate quietly as if submerged in deep water. While meditating, mana recovery speed increases up to 300%.

-Cooldown: 10 seconds.

---

‘Just as I thought.’

Levan’s eyes moved to the ‘Unavailable’ tag marked in the description.

As expected.

Even if he rightfully obtained magic through a duel, because of the rules set by Rubix, Levan couldn’t fully use the magic he had acquired.

If he wanted to make Calm Meditation his own, he’d have to pass Rubix’s trial.

Levan tapped the ‘Unavailable’ tag and spoke.

“Accept the trial.”

---

[Transferring to Rubix’s Tower.]

---

Levan’s vision flickered.

---

*       *       *

---

Levan’s vision flashed bright and then returned to normal.

A familiar scene.

He had arrived at Rubix’s Tower.

Upon arrival, Levan immediately looked for Rubix.

“Lord Rubix, where are you?”

“Over here.”

Turning his head toward the voice, he saw the same old man with bulging muscles and a kindly expression gazing at him.

It was Rubix.

“Successor, I greatly enjoyed the words you gave those Gald Tower rascals.”

“So, you were watching.”

“Of course. Am I not your steadfast guardian god?”

“That’s quite an introduction. Then you must also know why I’m here?”

“Of course I do. Didn’t you challenge them to a duel on purpose?”

“That’s right. Shall we talk business now?”

The reason Levan had come here.

Rubix already knew.

Because Rubix had been watching Levan’s every move.

Levan’s purpose here was none other than to form a new magical alliance for the Masterials.

Levan asked.

“What do you think? The Masterials are suffering so much under the Central Mage Tower.”

“They are admirable and pitiable friends. It’s only natural to help them.”

“Then, are you willing to teach your magic to the Masterials for their sake?”

“My heart certainly wishes it.”

“Then right now... Wait, your heart wishes it?”

“That’s right. My heart does. But that doesn’t mean I can actually teach them magic.”

“May I ask why?”

“It’s simple. Because they’re not magicians.”

“...Pardon?”

“Seems my words are confusing you, my one and only apostle.”

What did he mean by this?

He couldn’t teach them magic because they weren’t magicians?

Levan quietly waited for Rubix to explain why he couldn’t pass on his magic to them.

“By what qualification did you gain my power?”

“...Well, because I became a war mage?”

“That’s right. And what did you give up to become a war mage?”

“I... Ah!”

“Exactly. You gave up the long path of a warrior to become a war mage. That’s why you can use my magic. But those others?”

With Rubix’s explanation, Levan’s head finally cleared.

‘To think there was such a restriction.’

Hearing the reason why the magic couldn’t be passed on, Levan realized how lightly he’d regarded Rubix’s power.

Rubix spoke.

“The reason I created the war mage’s path was so that magicians who’d hit their limits could grow even stronger. Revenge against the Central Mage Tower? That’s fine too. But I have no desire to twist the foundation of war mages just for the sake of revenge.”

“I see.”

“Do you really understand?”

“Yes. I understand. You don’t want the path you worked so hard to create to be used for the growth of those who chose a different path.”

“You understand perfectly.”

“Then, there’s only one solution.”

“You have an idea?”

“It’s simple, I think. If they give up being Masterials and choose to walk the path of the war mage, then they’ll qualify to receive your magic, right?”

“In theory, yes.”

Exactly.

In theory, that was so.

But it wouldn’t be easy.

After all, asking those who had devoted their entire lives to the path of the craftsman to abandon their roots for a few spells would surely invite much resistance.

But for now, there was no other way.

Because...

‘It’s easier to convince people than to convince a god.’

Rubix was a god.

And a steadfast ally who would be with him from now on.

He didn’t want to provoke such a being just to change a sad reality.

‘Let’s not get ahead of myself. I’m not a revolutionary, just a mere user. I want to stick to my quest, not dream of being Che Guevara.’

The epic quest Levan received was to rescue the Masterials from the Prison of the Marsh.

So for now, he decided to focus only on that.

Levan said,

“It won’t be easy, but I’ll do what I can.”

“That’s a good attitude. For that, I’ll give you a special reward.”

---

[Rubix gifts you power.]

[Strength increased by 2.]

---

‘Oh?’

Two points to Strength.

An unexpected reward.

Levan smiled and bowed his head.

“Thank you, Lord Rubix.”

“No need to thank me. It’s all a result of your choices. Now, shouldn’t you take care of what you’ve forgotten?”

“Huh? Forgotten?”

“Have you forgotten the reason you could come here? You took Calm Meditation from Peron and accepted the trial to make it truly yours.”

“Well, yes, but about the effect of Calm Meditation...”

“No need to worry about that. I’ll take care of it for you. Now, let’s begin the trial!”

Swoooosh!

The moment Rubix announced the start of the trial, a huge wave crashed down on Levan.

---

*       *       *

---

[You have endured Rubix’s trial.]

[Rubix grants you Calm Meditation.]

[The information for Calm Meditation has been updated.]

---

“Pwah!”

With the notification that he had survived Rubix’s trial, Levan burst to the surface, gasping for breath.

He panted heavily, desperate for air.

“Damn! That crazy old man!”

---

[Rubix is delighted by your exclamation.]

---

At Levan’s heartfelt curse, Rubix burst into genuine laughter.

The trial Rubix gave was to maintain composure while submerged in deep water for thirty minutes.

‘At this rate, I think he’s getting addicted to tormenting me.’

Once the trial ended, Levan sprawled out, catching his breath.

Thinking back, it was ridiculous.

Just because the skill’s description said ‘meditate quietly as if submerged in deep water,’ he was actually thrown into deep water.

Of course, Levan couldn’t hold his breath well.

His best record was about two minutes.

So Rubix gave just enough air to keep him alive when he reached his limit—just enough for two breaths, that’s all.

Lying down, Levan thought,

‘Who said that? That gods only give humans as much hardship as they can bear... Whoever it was, they sure know their gods.’

He wanted to ask, if he ever met them.

Are you friends with the gods or something?

Anyway, Levan checked the new magic he had gained through such a grueling trial.

---

[Calm Meditation]

-Grade: Rare.

-Rank: F (0.0%)

-Effect: Meditate quietly as if submerged in deep water. While meditating, health recovery speed increases up to 300%.

-Cooldown: 10 seconds.

---

‘It changed from mana recovery to health recovery.’

The contents themselves didn’t change much.

But with just one word altered, a once useless skill became an excellent recovery skill.

‘Let’s think positively... think positively...’

Flash!

That was when it happened.

Levan’s body returned to the real world. Looking up at the changed sky, he thought,

‘This feels oddly unpleasant...’

Levan felt like he’d become a toy to be played with and tossed aside.