Chapter 30

Yi-Han found himself unexpectedly asking a question. Indeed, curses, in a way, resembled buff magic. What if there was a curse that reduced one's weight for someone wishing to lose weight? If used well, it could actually be beneficial. A belt cursed with mana absorption would typically make any ordinary mage scream 'Yikes! Get it away from me!' But for Yi-Han, the situation was a bit different.

Yi-Han… His mana was excessively overflowing.

'That actually might be worth wearing seriously.'

He was already wearing a metal bracelet that absorbed mana, so adding a belt wouldn't make much difference.

"What about the effects?" 

"Given it's a cursed item, it must have its original effects," Yi-Han replied.

There was action and reaction even in magic. Cursed items often had stronger effects as a trade-off for being cursed. Who would wear a cursed item otherwise?

"Aha. Brother. That's what you were referring to. Let's see..."

'Isn't it necessary to remember the original performance, not just the curse?'

Yi-Han was astonished by the sight of a priest who could remember the curse on an item but not its effects. Wasn't that putting the cart before the horse?

"It was a belt with invisibility magic. But that's not really important. What matters is the curse on it... Anyway, Brother. Feel free to speak frankly. I can accept any answer..."

"What do you mean? I am fully prepared to wear it."

Yi-Han said, staring intently. The priest was greatly shocked by this.

Incredible! He had thought Yi-Han would surely give up and leave, but he had been mistaken.

'Shame on me! How could I, a true believer, fail to recognize a fellow brother of faith and speak so rashly?'

To the priest, Yi-Han no longer appeared as a young boy from a well-bred family. Standing before the priest was a brother ready to seriously walk the path of faith.

"Brother, my name is Mehrid. May I know your name?"

"Yi-Han. Yi-Han Wardanaz."

'Wardanaz!'

Mehrid was even more astonished. The Wardanaz family, famous even in the empire as non-believers. No wonder he seemed so dignified and imposing...

"The Order will rejoice at your admission, Brother. Here, take this belt in honor of Lord Presinga."

The name was a bit grand for a cursed belt, but Yi-Han accepted it solemnly.

Thud-

As Yi-Han put on the belt, Mehrid looked at him with a worried expression. Newly initiated brothers in the Order always struggled with bearing Presinga's burden. The mana-absorbing belt could be too harsh for a student just starting out...

"How do I activate the invisibility magic?"

"...?!?!"

"??"

"Oh, you just have to say, 'I hide in the night.' To deactivate it, say, 'I reveal myself in the morning.'"

"I hide in the night." 

As Yi-Han recited the spell, his figure became transparent.

'Oh...'

Yi-Han marveled. Not all invisibility magics were the same. Lower Circle invisibility spells were just partially translucent or had some odd details visible upon closer inspection. But the invisibility magic of this belt seemed almost perfect.

‘It’s rewarding to wear a cursed item.’

"Brother, are you feeling alright?"

"Of course, I am fine. I reveal myself in the morning."

With those words, Yi-Han dispelled the spell.

Before putting on the belt, he had half-hoped that his mana would decrease to a manageable level… But surprisingly, there was no effect at all.

'Considering the concern from the priest, it seems like an item that absorbs a considerable amount of mana. How can it have no effect?'

It seemed like the mana recovered was more than what the steel bracelet or belt absorbed...

Yi-Han, now intrigued, spoke up, "Priest, I wish to bear a greater part of Lord Presinga's burden."

"Ah...!"

Mehrid was deeply moved by the noble brother's words. However, he couldn't accept this request. The belt that Yi-Han wore was already a burden enough...

"No, Brother. One cannot bear Lord Presinga's burden all at once. I understand your sentiment, but please wait a little longer."

"No! I must take on more!"

"I understand your eagerness, but Brother, you must wait!"

—

Although Yi-Han failed to obtain another artifact, the endeavor was not without gain. The invisibility belt alone was an immense gain. Naturally, Yi-Han's plan was...

'Another means of escape.'

His last escape had painfully shown him his own complacency. This academy was crazier than he thought, and the principal was even more insane. He couldn't predict what traps might lie ahead in his future attempts. The invisibility belt would protect him then.

"...And so, the first gathering to honor Lord Presinga's will was held, marking the beginning of our Order. That's all for today, Brother."

Priest Mehrid explained the history and rules of the Order to Yi-Han. Yi-Han wasn't particularly interested in the Order's history, but he was a pro at listening to uninteresting stories.

-“Did I tell you about my trip to the golf course last time?”-

-“I'm really curious. Please tell me, Professor!”-

'Actually, it wasn't that boring.'

Apart from the history, the rules and the holy magic were quite interesting. And surprisingly, the Presinga Order really had the free spirit the principal had described. Believing in other orders was OK. There were no prohibitions, one could live as they pleased… except for wearing cursed items.

'Apart from that one drawback, it's really a fine Order. But that one drawback is too significant.'

Yi-Han couldn't bring himself to recommend the Presinga Order to others in good conscience. The drawback was too significant! Moreover, the holy magic used by the Order's priests also tended to be extremely radical...

Fearful that Yi-Han might change his mind after hearing about the Order, Priest Mehrid presented him with a generous gift.

"Here, Brother. Please take this. I've heard that the newcomers at Einroguard often go hungry. Of course, it's probably an exaggeration..."

'Not an exaggeration at all.'

Yi-Han accepted the basket the priest had offered. Just like the Flameng Order had generously filled a basket for Yonaire, the Presinga Order had also filled theirs amply. There was a sense of desperation to never let go of a believer once they had one.

In the basket were jars of raspberry, marmalade, and peanut jams, along with round, flat breads baked by the Order. The basket also contained beef and pork canned goods, sealed with magic that was famous in the empire. There were also condiments like salt, sugar, coffee powder, and tea leaves.

Priest Mehrid spoke in a kind voice, "I thought you might need some drinks while studying, so I included them."

"It seems more like a necessity for survival than for studying..."

"What?"

"Nothing, thank you." Yi-Han bowed his head in gratitude.

Although it seemed Priest Mehrid intended these items for Yi-Han to enjoy during breaks from studying, considering the academy's situation, these were not mere snacks for leisure but essentials for survival to be stockpiled in his room.

'The Order should visit more often to improve the students' lives here.'

"When is the next event?"

"Well, I'd like to come as soon as possible, but it depends on the principal's permission..."

'Damn.'

Yi-Han knew without hearing the rest that it would be a while before the priests could visit again. The principal's nature wouldn't allow for frequent invitations...

"You should take this as well."

"?!"

Tijiling, a demon mixed-blood priestess and a freshman at the Immortal Phoenix, offered Yi-Han the basket she had received. 

Yi-Han was taken aback.

‘What's this?’

‘Why would she just give it away?’

‘Is accepting it akin to making a deal with a demon?’

"Why are you giving this to me?"

"I serve Lord Presinga. Such luxuries are too much for me."

"There's no need for that, Tijiling. It was prepared for you, so take it."

Priest Mehrid seemed to want Tijiling to accept the basket, but Tijiling adamantly refused.

'Ah, the Tower of the Immortal Phoenix really has a different atmosphere.'

While the students of the Blue Dragon, to which Yi-Han belonged, had already forgotten their noble dignity, eagerly asking, 'Hey, got anything to eat? No? Really nothing?' rolling their eyes in desperation… The students of the Immortal Phoenix were nobly controlling themselves and enduring.

Impressive!

But as impressive as it was, Yi-Han had no intention of living like that.

"Thank you for the..."

"Brother."

"?"

Priest Mehrid pulled Yi-Han aside.

"Could you please take care of Tijiling? Considering the reputation of your family, it would be greatly helpful if you could look after her. As you can see, Tijiling is too harsh on herself."

"What? But I'm in a different dormitory..."

"Please, I'm asking you."

With that, Priest Mehrid pushed another basket into Yi-Han's hands. He was certainly a priest who knew a thing or two.

"Here, take another one, so you can share with Tijiling and ensure she eats."

"Understood. You can count on me."

Yi-Han, now holding three baskets, couldn't resist the temptation. Sharing a meal was the least he could do…

—

"Should I call you Priestess Tijiling?"

"Yes. Whatever you prefer, feel free to address me as you like."

"What's the atmosphere like at the Tower of the Immortal Phoenix?" Yi-Han asked, seemingly curious. Unlike the White Tiger or Black Tortoise, the atmosphere at the Immortal Phoenix was a mystery.

The demon mixed-blood girl seemed confused by the question, tilting her head.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, like, what do you guys do during breaks in the recreation room..."

"We pray in our own rooms."

Tijiling answered with a hint of pride. Yi-Han grimaced.

'Hmm. It's even more austere than I thought.'

If Yi-Han had entered the Immortal Phoenix, he felt like he would have suffocated.

"Do you also pray in the night?"

"Yes. Some priests go to the forest or mountains to pray, so they leave the tower, while those who can pray indoors do so within."

"I see. ...Wait a minute. You're allowed to go out in the night?"

"Yes. We have permission."

"!"

Yi-Han was greatly surprised by this unexpected fact.

'Could the priests wander around even after evening?'

The general rule was that, going out of the tower after evening on weekdays was prohibited. It wasn't for no reason that Yi-Han and his friends were aiming for the weekends to make their escape attempts. But the students of the Immortal Phoenix had been granted permission. 

Thinking about it, Yi-Han figured that even if he were the principal, he would have allowed the Immortal Phoenix students to go out. They never caused any trouble, left to their own devices...

'Then, could I also wander around at night if I just wore a priest's robe?'

Yi-Han felt a flash of inspiration. If only he had a priest's robe...!

"Could I possibly get a set of priest's robes?"

"..."

Tijiling narrowed her eyes and looked at Yi-Han intently.