My Uncle is the Strongest Dark Mage

Chapter 39

Unlike other ability users who generally conform to the laws of the world, Black Magic fundamentally defied those very laws.

Rebels of an era dreaming of defying fate.

From the moment they delve into the field until the day they die, Black Mages were beings caught in an unending storm of adolescence, and thus, they caused far more incidents and accidents compared to those studying other fields.

It wasn’t so much the fault of the discipline itself but rather that it often attracted emotionally immature individuals, which also made its entry-level difficulty considerably lower compared to other disciplines.

"Unlike other studies designed to enhance mana manipulation and minimize waste, this field was created on the premise of wasting mana from the start."

There was no need to control the mana; they could use it recklessly.

Was there any merit that lowered the initial difficulty of entry as much as that?

"Of course, the initial performance of a Black Mage is abysmal, though."

Through the waste of mana, they engrave their own rules onto the world.

It sounds grand, but is defying the world with mere personal will ever an easy feat?

Even if they were on the same level, novice Black Mages had no choice but to get beaten up in fights against other ability users because they didn’t know how to do anything properly.

They only started to match or surpass other ability users after reaching at least the realm of a five-star expert.

That’s why the three-star Black Mage who attacked the Grant Department Store had no choice but to rush straight to the Artifact Store, struggling with a lack of mana before even initiating the terror.

It was only because he used the magic personally crafted by the Death King that he could achieve even that much. Without it, the best he could have managed would have been getting overpowered by the department store guards and ending up restrained.

"In any case, while beginners in Black Magic are weak, the situation reverses as time goes on."

Not only that.

High-ranking Black Mages were beings other ability users avoided fighting at all costs.

That’s how challenging it was to deal with phenomena from the Reverse World.

"There are no fixed rules. No regulations, and nothing ever flows as predetermined."

There is something called an "Established Rule."

A personal rule created by a Black Mage when crafting their Reverse World.

Even among Black Mages, these Established Rules varied greatly depending on the individual, and asking someone about their Established Rule was considered a taboo.

"For reference, I have no intention of ever revealing my Established Rule."

Professor Carlson said this with a faint smile.

Then, clapping his hands, he snapped the students gathered on the field back to attention.

"Now, I’m sure you’re curious. Why have I called you all here?"

The first combined class for the first-year students this year.

Wearing gym clothes, all the first-years awaited the next words from Professor Carlson with bated breath.

"Do you remember what I said at the beginning of the semester? That I would show you my Reverse World if the opportunity arose. To keep that promise, I’ve gathered you all here."

And at Professor Carlson’s next words, everyone widened their eyes in shock.

"The frightening aspect of the Reverse World isn’t limited to its Established Rule."

The Reverse World, simply put, was the Black Mage’s mental image made manifest.

A world belonging solely to the caster, where no one else could interfere, and at the same time, it granted the caster the ultimate buff just by existing.

For example, the mana wasted to create the Reverse World.

They could manipulate it freely as if it were an extension of their own body.

Or, like a sustained curse, they could attach it to their opponent, continuously applying debuffs.

A buff for themselves and a debuff for their opponent.

Even without the Established Rule, its very existence was akin to a natural disaster.

"What’s even scarier is that this natural disaster can distinguish between friend and foe. For instance, it’s said that if the Death King activates his Reverse World, anyone he decides to kill within that domain dies instantly."

It was possible to selectively kill only those one intended to kill.

The absolute control of wasted mana.

It was akin to the pinnacle of mana manipulation, achieving an ultimate state where no mana was wasted.

"When someone first encounters the Reverse World, they are so overwhelmed by the unique Negative Dimensional Magic Power of Black Mages—often called 'Minus Magic Power'—that they can’t even utilize half of their usual abilities."

Fundamentally, it was a completely different attribute of magic power compared to what other ability users employed.

That’s why experiencing it even once beforehand was an invaluable opportunity, worth more than any amount of money.

'Originally, I didn’t plan to show this so soon.'

According to Professor Carlson’s plan, he intended to let them experience the Reverse World either at the end of the first semester or during the second semester.

Rushing wasn’t always better.

A shock too intense for an unprepared mind might break them before they could adapt or build resistance to it.

He had planned to gradually acclimate them to the concept of curses before finally introducing the Reverse World, but the possibility of a Black Mage being present at the Academy had completely overturned Professor Carlson’s plans.

Based on Professor Magnus’s assessment, the opponent was at least a high-ranking Black Mage capable of wielding the Reverse World.

He thought it was far better to let the students experience the Reverse World in a relatively safe environment than to have them face it unexpectedly and risk their lives.

"You don’t need to worry about any problems or accidents. I’ve specifically asked Professor Clara for her assistance just in case!"

"Hello, everyone~ I’m Professor Clara, in charge of the infirmary and emergency treatment studies~"

A languid tone.

With slightly drooping eyes and a charming smile, Professor Clara waved lightly at the students.

"Everyone, just trust Professor Clara and feel free to collapse! As long as you don’t die, she’ll heal you completely!"

"But, you know, it would be troublesome if you get hurt too badly~"

"Now, everyone, please prepare yourselves. In a moment, I will open the Reverse World."

"Excuse me~ Can’t you hear what I’m saying~?"

Professor Clara vigorously patted Professor Carlson's shoulder, while Professor Carlson desperately avoided her gaze, claiming she was the only one he trusted.

Leaving behind the comical banter between the two professors, Maril turned to Arina with an intrigued smile.

"This should be fun. The Reverse World, huh."

As a princess of the Elemental Kingdom, she had rarely encountered high-ranking Black Mages, and none among them would dare to unleash their Reverse World on her.

In other words, this was a first experience.

And as always, the term "first experience" made her heart race with excitement.

"This is much better than Professor Scape’s class. I like it."

Just how bad was her opinion of Professor Scape?

At this point, one couldn’t help but feel sorry for Professor Scape.

All she did was teach her class diligently like the other professors.

"Haha......."

Unable to agree with Maril’s statement, Arina could only let out a vague laugh.

Noticing her reaction, Maril quickly changed the subject.

"Negative Dimensional Magic Power, huh....... I can’t even imagine what it feels like. From what I’ve heard, people just drop unconscious or worse."

It could render others unconscious—or, in extreme cases, stop their hearts and kill them, like the Death King.

She couldn’t quite grasp what it would feel like.

Perhaps it was akin to the ultimate version of that eerie sensation when watching a horror movie? That was her rough guess.

"Oh, by the way, I haven’t mentioned it yet, but your assignment will be to write a personal reflection on the Negative Dimensional Magic Power. Of course, creative or detailed submissions will earn bonus points. In that sense, today’s experience should be a great help for your assignment."

Oh, come on, he should’ve mentioned that earlier!

At Professor Carlson’s belated announcement, the relaxed expressions of the students flipped completely.

Experiencing the Reverse World and suffering significant mental trauma?

That distant, unknown fear was overshadowed by the immediate reality of the assignment looming before them.

And as if he had planned it all along, Professor Carlson smirked ominously at the now serious faces of the students.

"Then, let’s begin."

With the starting signal given.

Blinking, Arina found herself staring at a crimson-stained atmosphere.

A sky dripping red, as though dyed with blood.

A chilling, bone-freezing sensation crept down her arms and spine, and her brain finally recognized the drastic shift in the world, driving her body’s tension to its limit.

'Danger.'

This place was dangerous.

The magic power swirling in the air was utterly foreign, completely unlike the magic she was accustomed to.

The wasted Negative Dimensional Magic Power filtered through Carlson’s body.

Saturated with his thoughts and beliefs, it clung thickly and sticky to Arina’s skin like chewed gum.

"......."

But that sensation was all Arina felt.

Even though she knew Carlson was controlling the situation, her instincts screamed at her to flee immediately, her body gripped with a profound sense of danger. Yet, she didn’t feel as though the experience was entirely unfamiliar.

No, it felt familiar.

As if she had encountered it somewhere before.

"It feels familiar."

At the same time, Maril’s comment from beside her made her flinch.

She seemed to be struggling more than Arina, but even so, she held on remarkably well.

Compared to those who had already collapsed due to the Negative Dimensional Magic Power, her endurance stood out.

Maril was intelligent, but it couldn’t be said that she had exceptional talent as an Ability User.

The fact that she lasted longer than the other students was the first strange point.

And the second was her statement.

It felt like she had experienced this somewhere before.

It was an ambiguous response, unlike her usual self, who always remembered anything she had seen once.

And Arina knew the reason for that.

Maril experienced this sense of déjà vu whenever her memories were intentionally erased.

"Grant Department Store."

That was the only time.

The moment Maril’s memories were erased.

Realizing this, she understood.

The uncle who had saved her before she lost consciousness.

The magic power that flowed around him was the same as this.

"Hoo-ha!"

The moment she realized it, the Reverse World that Professor Carlson had created disappeared.

In terms of time, it lasted roughly 10 seconds.

"Hmm, this is better than I thought. Seven of you are still standing."

However, only seven students managed to endure that short period completely.

Among them, four, including Maril, were on the verge of collapsing, meaning only three fully withstood Professor Carlson’s Reverse World.

Arina, who had previously experienced the Reverse World.

Tokun Masao, a Magic Rejector who couldn’t absorb Negative Dimensional Magic Power into his body and instead let it flow out.

And lastly, Jeon Reidel, a boy from Class B who enrolled in Benedict Academy as the runner-up, just behind Arina.

"Now then, Professor Clara, it’s time for you to shine."

"This is way too much~ Don’t you think~?"

Since students might get injured during the lesson, she had been called to assist.

She had certainly been told that, but she hadn’t been informed that most of the students would collapse from exhaustion.

Though it seemed no one had completely lost consciousness thanks to Professor Carlson’s adjustments.

Even so, Professor Clara frowned at Professor Carlson, as if she thought this was excessive.

"Haa~"

Letting out a long sigh, she extended her hand toward midair.

"Let’s move right into the next lesson~ What’s the most basic method to treat someone suffering from acute exposure to Negative Dimensional Magic Power~?"

The answer was to quickly replenish them with Fresh Magic Power, which opposed it.

As Professor Clara spoke, a gentle breeze began to stir around her.

Riding on that breeze, the magic power she released quickly enveloped the students, just like the Reverse World that had unfolded earlier.

"Oh, so this is Spirit Magic? It’s my first time seeing it in person."

Spirit Magic.

A field of study that manifested in compliance with the laws of this world, alongside magic.

Watching the display with shining eyes, Professor Carlson addressed the students, whose faces seemed slightly more at ease.

"You’re all quite fortunate. To witness Spirit Magic right after experiencing the Reverse World is a rare opportunity."

"......."

"Well, I suppose you’re all exhausted, so today’s lesson will end here. Rest up and prepare for the next class. Don’t forget, your assignments are due by the end of the first semester."

Their minds had calmed, but the shock had not yet subsided.

As always, he spoke with a smile, but to the students, Professor Carlson looked like a devil incarnate.

The impact of the Reverse World he had shown was that intense, and because of it, most of the students could do nothing but watch in silence as he walked away.