The black mage wearing the goat bone mask appeared quite small in stature.
In terms of height, about half of Rudger's. It seemed questionable if someone could be this small, but he couldn't be simply dismissed.
Hadn't he just witnessed with his own eyes the effect of the curse mist that easily penetrated the magic barrier of the Magia Giant?
This was no ordinary curse.
"I came out myself to see what the sudden commotion was outside, and what in the world is this mess?"
The voice from behind the mask resonated hollowly.
He pointed his staff, which was much taller than himself, at Rudger.
"So, are you the cause of this disturbance?"
"I heard that the Ancient Curse School was isolated on the battlefield, waiting only for rescue."
"What? Hahaha. That's amusing. Rescue, you say?"From that laughter, Rudger realized that Gabriel had misunderstood something.
"Do you know Gabriel Cosmo?"
"Gabriel Cosmo? Hmm. Wait a moment. I think I've heard that name somewhere. Ah! I remember now."
The black mage with the goat bone mask tapped his palm with his staff.
"Well now. Come to think of it, I was going to make a deal with that youngster. Judging by the fact that you're asking about that name, is your reason for finding me related to this?"
"Yes. Gabriel Cosmo determined that your Ancient Curse School is in danger due to being caught up in the war. So I came to offer help."
"Help, is it?"
The black pupils behind the white bone mask scanned around Rudger.
"Are you sure you came to help? You've turned the E-34 area into complete ruins."
"There were a lot of bugs."
"When you say bugs, do you mean those who are still watching us from a distance?"
The remaining black mages were cautiously observing Rudger from afar.
When Pompfret stepped up, they had intended to join if victory seemed likely, but after seeing him subdued in an instant, they became cautious.
It wasn't just anything—Pompfret, who had been piloting the Magia Giant, a powered suit specifically designed against mages, was suppressed at once.
Having used up all their artifacts, the black mages had neither the strength nor the will to fight anymore.
"It seems they're making a fuss because communications were cut off, but this place has always been where our school resided. We were confident we could hold out against anyone."
"But you came out now."
"When I sensed consecutive 6th-tier magic spells being used outside, shouldn't I come out to see what's happening?"
Two consecutive 6th-tier spells meant that at least Lexer-grade mages were fighting.
"I thought there might be a civil war at the Magic Tower. Even for someone like me, when Lexer-grade mages fight in my front yard, I can't just lie down and stay put, even if my back is going to burst."
"It's fortunate you didn't."
"Fortunate? Rather, it's much more concerning that this scene was caused by one mage, not two."
"So you're wary of me?"
"Wary? No. Just curious. I wondered what kind of person would come looking for us."
"It seems we can at least have a conversation."
Rudger fired a magic bullet into the air.
The magic exploded in the air like a firework, painting the sky with brilliant light.
Situation over.
As soon as that signal flew, Gabriel suddenly appeared beside Rudger.
The Ancient Curse School black mage shook his mask in surprise at the mirage-like appearance.
"What's this? Appearing suddenly from thin air? Spatial movement? No. I don't feel any trace of magic."
"Huh, it's already over?"
Gabriel was equally bewildered by the surrounding scene.
Rudger had dropped right into the center of the battlefield and single-handedly completely overturned the entire scene.
'This crazy guy. How much stronger has he become while I wasn't watching?'
He knew Rudger had always possessed a brilliant mind and immense magical talent, but this was beyond common sense.
'No matter how long it's been since I've seen him, this kind of aftermath? Did he use some grand magic? How many elixirs has he consumed in just a few years?'
Gabriel's astonished thoughts didn't continue for long.
Right now, the black mage in front of them was the priority.
"Ahem. Pleased to meet you. I am Gabriel Cosmo."
"Ah, yes. The idle Gabriel. I've heard about you from my disciple, but I never expected to see you in person."
"Are you, by chance, the Master of the Ancient Curse School?"
"Yes. That's why I came out alone."
Rudger inwardly acknowledged the title of Master.
The curse magic he had demonstrated while subduing Pompfret was certainly not something an ordinary school member could show.
'This isn't magic through ordinary formulas. There's a reason why the word "ancient" is attached to the school's name.'
The black magic used by that Master was on a different level from existing black magic or magic.
If anything, it resembled Rudger's [Real Magic] in nature.
"So what's your reason for seeking me out?"
"Is it true that the Ancient Curse School can wield the most powerful curses that no longer exist today?"
"Huh? I don't know where you picked up such information."
"What? Isn't it true?"
"No. You've come to the right place."
Gabriel's disappointed expression turned to bewilderment.
"No, if I've come to the right place, then why are you saying that?"
"It's true that the curses we use are powerful. Probably no one else in the world can compare."
It sounded like an exaggeration, but having seen it firsthand, it didn't feel like an overstatement at all.
"And?"
"But we don't use these curses recklessly."
"What?"
"A curse is ultimately meant to kill something. The fact that you've sought us out means you want to kill someone, don't you?"
"Ah, wait a moment. Aren't you a black mage?"
"Yes, I am."
"But you're saying you dislike killing people? And you didn't kill the people here with curses?"
"It's not that I dislike it, but I don't like accepting assassination requests with our techniques."
"Why not?"
"Why? If a shopkeeper doesn't want to sell something, they just don't sell it."
Gabriel was speechless, but he soon regained his composure and let out a small laugh.
"Then that should be fine. We're not trying to borrow the power of curses to kill people right now."
"Not to kill?"
"Yes. We're trying to save someone."
The purple light flowing from inside the goat's black pupils showed interest in those words.
"Oh? Using curses to save a person. I can guess the general idea. The principle of using poison to counteract poison, right?"
"...Well, something like that."
Gabriel answered awkwardly to the statement that immediately saw through the situation.
There was no point in hiding it now. They had no other option but to persuade the person in front of them.
"Since it's not about killing but saving, there shouldn't be anything objectionable, right? What do you say?"
After staring intently at Gabriel, the Master answered sharply.
"No."
"What? What's the problem now?"
"I don't like your arrogant attitude."
"Wait, what does that even..."
Gabriel was at a loss for words at the Master's childish behavior.
Even for a black mage, shouldn't a school's Master be more calm and insightful than anyone else?
Are all black mages like this?
As Gabriel was puzzled over an appropriate response, Rudger spoke up.
"What would make you accept the deal?"
"A deal is supposed to be an exchange of what both parties want."
"I can pay money. Any amount."
"What if I ask for enough money to buy this entire island?"
"..."
The Ancient Curse School Master snickered.
"We don't need money either."
"You need rare herbs, reagents, and materials to use ancient curses, don't you?"
Rudger pointed out sharply, but the Master didn't care.
"That's for us to procure. If we were after money, would we be living in such a remote place? We have our pride too."
"Then what do you want as a condition for the deal?"
"You're persistent. But I don't dislike it. Hmm. Alright, how about this?"
The purple eyes behind the mask curved like a crescent moon.
It was like the smiling eyes of a mischievous child who had come up with an interesting plan.
"An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. Magic for magic."
"That means..."
"Yes. In exchange for granting ancient curse magic, your side must also provide similar magic."
Hearing this, Gabriel gasped in shock.
"W-wait a minute! Asking us to provide ancient magic that has been lost and disappeared as a trade condition! This is practically saying you won't make a deal!"
"You don't want to do it? If you show us magic or offer it as a condition, we'll help you too. What could be clearer than that?"
"You call that a deal...!"
"Oh, if the conditions are too demanding, I can be a bit more flexible with special magic. How about the magic you possess?"
"That's..."
When Gabriel showed hesitation, the Ancient Magic School Master snorted.
"You say it's so important, yet you can't offer even one thing you possess. This is why the greed of mages must be acknowledged. If you were truly desperate, nothing would be impossible."
He mocked Gabriel while glancing at Rudger from the corner of his eye.
It was a look closer to certainty rather than any expectation or anxiety that Rudger would readily offer his magic.
'You'll be the same.'
The purple eyes behind the mask were saying that.
Rudger is an exceptionally talented mage. Therefore, his greed for his own magic would be even greater—that was his thinking.
To reach the 6th tier, talent and effort are necessary, but those alone are insufficient.
They are somehow twisted.
It's difficult to precisely define that twist, but its direction resembles something close to an obsessive, almost manic attachment to magic.
Asking such a person for magic is like touching a sore spot.
It was with this certainty that he made such an unreasonable condition.
"If you can't do it, then..."
"I'll do it."
"...What?"
The goat bone mask tilted slightly to the side.
As if he had misheard something.
"Did I hear something wrong?"
"I said I'll make the deal."
"Really? I don't particularly like lies."
"Is there any reason to tell a lie that would be exposed here?"
"You could try to capture me by making me let my guard down, then threaten me."
"I can't openly confront a black mage who has clearly revealed himself. The moment I touch you, the ward curse hidden inside your clothes would engulf the opponent."
"Hmph. You know about that too? Well, what kind of magic do you intend to offer me?"
Despite the tone suggesting he should be prepared if it didn't meet his expectations, Rudger didn't flare up or react.
Was he confident that this deal wouldn't fail?
Just as that attitude was starting to be strangely irritating, Rudger spoke.
"Choose."
"Choose? Choose what?"
"Choose a magic that doesn't rely on formulas, but is wielded through mysterious power."
Seeing the formless energy rising around Rudger, the Master widened his purple eyes.
"You..."
"It seems I can offer more than what you can give."
What was said to have been used by mages from a very distant past flickered before his eyes.
As a mage who studied ancient curses, he couldn't help but recognize the energy Rudger was using.
Not a formula using the magical power of modern magic, but literally an ambiguous and abstract method.
Some might describe it as barbaric and inefficient, but in reality, it was magic that wasn't.
"Who... who exactly are you?"
Rudger spoke to the Master in a taciturn voice.
"Are you finally willing to talk?"
"My name is Cravat."
The Ancient Curse School Master, who had guided Rudger and Gabriel underground, introduced himself.
After removing the goat bone mask from his face, he was surprisingly youthful.
His two-tone hair, a mix of gold and orange, was particularly striking.
With his long hair, he had swept his bangs back and tied it in a ponytail at the back of his head.
He looked so small that they thought he was an old man, but judging by his skin without a single wrinkle, he was unmistakably a child.
"What is it? Do I look that interesting?"
"Oh, no, it's just that. You look younger than I expected?"
When Gabriel scratched his cheek and spoke, Cravat frowned.
"Despite how I look, I'm over 40, you fool. Don't underestimate me just because I look young. Look over there. That guy has no reaction at all."
Cravat pointed to Rudger, who had withdrawn his shadow.
For Rudger, there was no reason to be particularly surprised that Cravat looked young.
He knew someone who looked ten times younger despite living longer than him.
Of course, Vierano was not human but an elf, but the difference between actual age and appearance was similar, wasn't it?
"So, where is the person who needs my curse?"
"This way, please."
Gabriel's tone became quite respectful after hearing Cravat's actual age.
Cravat raised his eyebrows at that behavior but silently followed Gabriel.
Since the school members were said to be in a safe place, it was decided that Cravat would move separately alone.
The three people who moved through the underground waterway eventually arrived at Gabriel's hideout.
Upon entering, Cravat discovered Rene lying on the bed and examined her condition.
"Hmm. Oh? Mmm."
It was only after about 10 minutes of detailed diagnosis with magic that Cravat spoke.
"This, I think I can do it."