Dark Fantasy Normalized

The youngest master in the history of the Gray Tower,  Heinya Ye Mastien.

People spoke of her, saying,

Perhaps she would become the greatest mage in the history of the Gray Tower.

The life she had led as a mage was filled with brilliant success.

Not a single failure, not a single moment of despair.

At the end of every problem and conflict, the conclusion was always that she was right.

And so, the genius mage developed an absolute belief in herself.

...Thus, the genius mage forgot how to doubt herself.

Heinya Ye Mastien.

People said,

Perhaps she became the greatest mage in the history of the Gray Tower.

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**▶ Destiny 64: Guidance**

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**[Title: The Drunkard Hanging Around the Bondales Tower is Absolutely Hilarious]**

Content: They say if you bring any kind of booze, they’ll answer whatever you ask, so I thought they were just some hobo with a loose tongue. But what the heck—sixth-rank magic unlocks just by talking to them.

Honestly, just listening to them ramble enthusiastically, I actually unlocked a new sixth-rank magic spell.

What’s up with this person?

Is the bar to be a drunk in the tower really this high?

- "Spoiling their identity would ruin it for you, though."

- [OP]: "Oh, so they were once prominent, but their life tanked because of this messed-up game world?"

- "Haha, pretty much."

- "Yeah, nearly every character in this trash game had a great life but then got screwed over and fell apart."

- "Born to this messed-up world, just like folks working 80-hour weeks for the ‘crime’ of being born in Hell Korea."

- [OP]: "So, what were they before?"

- [OP]: "Were they a mage in the tower or something?"

- "They were originally the youngest master in the Gray Tower."

- [OP]: "?"

- "And from a noble family, too."

- [OP]: "A noble family, so basically right under royalty in this game?"

- [OP]: "Then why is someone like that begging for booze on the streets?"

- "The reason the tower cut ties with them was also enough for the family to cut ties."

- [OP]: "Oh great, black magic again?"

- "No, not that. They lost it and became a wreck while researching ancient, lost magic."

- [OP]: "?? And that was enough for them to be abandoned?"

- "The family and the tower both tried to stop them because they could see it was going to end badly."

- "They actually went so far as to hold a blade to their neck, telling them to stop, but they were like, 'I can do it, if it’s me...!' and then went boom."

- [OP]: "So they were just an idiot, then, lol."

- "But still, calling them an idiot is a bit much, considering all they achieved."

- "If you look at flashbacks, they honestly come across as a genius who defied even the gods."

- "Even after ending up like that, people still call them ‘the one who could have been the greatest mage in tower history,’ which says a lot."

- "[Image] And, to top it off, they were really beautiful."

- [OP]: "Wait, this battered-looking caterpillar used to be a blonde ponytail beauty?"

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**[Title: So, the ‘Guidance’ Destiny Quest Has One of the Most Bitter Endings]**

Content: The quest is to help Heinya rehabilitate her magic skills, so I thought she’d successfully make a comeback as a mage, but nope.

As soon as she can use magic again, she immediately kills herself with magic.

Did I pick the wrong option?

Should I have chosen [You are the youngest master in the history of the Gray Tower] instead of [You could have been the greatest mage in tower history]?

- "No, it doesn’t matter. Either way, she commits suicide."

- "But if you pick the second one, she does it with a satisfied smile."

- [OP]: "No way, that’s even worse! Is there no way to save her?"

- "Maybe try developing time magic?"

- "If we go back and give that defiant genius some tough love, maybe we could change things."

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"You haven’t taken the potion yet...?"

Heinya looked at Risir for a moment, then scoffed, folding her arms haughtily. She interpreted Risir’s actions as [an embarrassed attempt to deny drinking the potion after being caught].

"Well. So, you’re at least aware that what you’re doing is not entirely honorable?"

"Is that so..."

"It’s fine. You don’t have to deny it like that. Honestly, I’m actually glad you drank it. Do you know why?"

Heinya puffed herself up, brimming with pride.

"..."

From the first moment they met, Risir felt drained by this conceited young lady.

Risir, suddenly parched, took a sip of tea.

"Here."

As expected, Didoa immediately refilled his cup, her emotionless eyes gleaming subtly as she gazed at him.

"Thank you?"

Yes! They had a natural exchange again. Satisfied, Didoa returned to her watchful stance.

Feeling drained from both sides, Risir decided he had to play along with Heinya and send her off quickly.

"And why is it that you're glad I supposedly drank the potion? I’m just dying to know."

Risir's reluctant attitude made Heinya frown for a moment, but she quickly resumed her haughty tone.

"To be honest, I felt a little guilty."

"Guilty? Out of the blue."

Hmm. Hmm. Hmm.

Heinya wagged her finger left and right, matching the gesture with a rhythmic sound.

"Out of the blue? Not at all. You should be aware of it too. I mean, you did go out of your way to get a potion right before our duel."

"So, is that it? You felt bad about challenging ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) someone clearly inferior, but now you feel a bit better after seeing me secretly down a potion?"

"Exactly. Although—if I’m being honest, I’m still not completely at ease."

Heinya assessed Risir's mana.

When they first met, he had barely reached the beginning of fourth rank. Now, he had progressed a little further, though only just.

His accomplishments, aided by the potion, were impressive but far from enough to catch up to Heinya, who was on the verge of mastering fourth rank.

"You went through all the trouble of getting a potion, and you’re still not on my level, are you?"

"Since we’re talking about it, shall we just declare the duel your victory?"

"I do know that a mage’s prowess isn’t measured by mana alone. But still—"

Mana gathered in Heinya's palm, not merely raw mana but mana infused with her essence.

Assimilation.

The ability to fully make mana one’s own and wield it as such.

It is the foundation of unique cultivation techniques and spells and a skill only mages who have reached fourth rank can master.

"Your Assimilation is impressive. You seem to have mastered it quickly despite only beginning to learn it recently?"

Didoa observed Heinya’s display of Assimilation and commented.

Did you hear that? Heinya smirked, gesturing at Risir.

"I remember seeing you at the magic shop when you’d just reached the start of fourth rank. So tell me, do you know how to wield Assimilation?"

"I just learned about the concept."

"There you go. And you still plan to duel me?"

"..."

Risir squinted at the Assimilated mana in Heinya's hand. This feeling... it seemed familiar somehow.

Interpreting Risir’s reaction, Heinya chided him.

"What were you thinking, accepting my duel?"

"It’s just a duel, isn’t it?"

"Just a duel, but—don’t forget. The loser has to grant any wish of the winner."

"Of course I remember. Just wait; I’m going to turn my life around with this."

"Turn your life around?"

For some reason, a chill ran down Heinya’s spine.

"What are you planning to ask for—actually, it doesn’t matter. You won’t get the chance to make that request anyway."

"We’ll see about that. But tell me, why did you come all this way? It can’t be just to scold me for allegedly drinking a potion."

"Ah, that’s—to give you one last chance."

"One last chance?"

A handicap.

With that, Heinya dispersed her Assimilated mana.

"If you ask me, I’ll exclude Assimilation from our duel. You might not realize it, but you should think carefully. With or without Assimilation, the level of magic changes drastically."

After a brief pause, Risir thought back to the ‘Assimilation’ he had just witnessed and felt.

"I’ll gratefully decline."

"What?"

"If I accept such a handicap, I’d feel obliged to hold back my request if I win."

"...Ha!"

Heinya scoffed, barely containing her contempt.

"Fine? So you’re telling me I shouldn’t hold back, either?"

"How about we give it our all, without reservations, to avoid regrets afterward?"

"I like it."

"You said you like it."

"?"

Risir pulled out a vial and handed it to Didoa.

"Master Didoa, shall we begin?"

"Shall we?"

"What—what are

you starting?"

Sensing some unidentifiable dread, Heinya feigned disinterest.

In her usual emotionless tone, Didoa replied, "Potion intake."

"...What?"

Heinya’s feigned indifference shattered as she stared in disbelief at the potion in Didoa’s hand and at Risir.

She shouted, "You’re drinking another one!?"

Risir chuckled.

"Another? Do I look like I come from a rich family?"

In truth, consuming potions consecutively was a luxury even royalty could barely afford.

"But that’s not even the issue! Drinking a second potion back-to-back—your body won’t handle it! Master Didoa, you should stop him!"

Didoa turned to Risir with a serious face and asked, "Risir, have you taken any potions recently?"

"No. Actually, I’ve never taken one in my life."

"There you have it, Miss Heinya."

"No—Master Didoa, weren’t you the one helping him with potion intake?"

"I’m about to start now."

"???"

Heinya’s expression began to crumble along with her worldview as she alternated glances between Risir and the potion in Didoa’s hand.

"No—no—no—"

While Heinya repeated herself like a broken record, Didoa inspected the potion, gathered various ingredients from around the laboratory, and combined them on the spot.

"Risir, could you take off your shirt?"

"What? Ah, alright."

Following Didoa's instructions, Risir complied.

"Feels a bit unfair to make you do it alone. Embarrassed? Should I join you?"

"No, really, that’s fine."

"You’re kind, Risir. Alright. May I touch you for a moment?"

Didoa asked cautiously, extending her hand covered in intricate markings.

"Of course."

Didoa began applying various solutions to different areas of Risir’s body, explaining each step as she worked.

Listening to her, Risir’s expression grew complicated.

"Master Didoa, I just have to ask—these solutions, are they rare?"

"It’s fine."

"...So they are. Is this usually part of potion intake assistance?"

"No. It’s an additional step. It’s not strictly necessary but beneficial—"

"So, I’m using up valuable solutions I don’t actually need?"

"I’m doing it because I want to, so don’t worry."

"...Thank you, Master Didoa. I don’t know how I’ll ever repay this kindness."

"If you insist on repaying me, I’d like you to drop the ‘Master’ and just call me Didoa."

"...Didoa?"

Yes! Feeling closer to Risir already.

Didoa nodded with satisfaction, her expression as emotionless as ever.

Once all the preparations were complete, Didoa opened the vial and handed it to Risir.

"Remember, after drinking the potion, you must follow my instructions exactly."

"Understood."

"Did I sound too stern? If that bothered you, I apologize."

"...Please feel free to speak as you like."

"Thank you. As I mentioned before, this potion is top-grade, meaning it contains immense power. The absorption process will inevitably bring great pain. Let me warn you, Risir, that you won’t be able to endure it completely."

"So, what should I do?"

"Despite that, you must endure as much as possible and manage the potion's power. Aim to absorb at least half of it—doing even that is remarkable. Don’t worry, I’ll be here. Understood?"

"Yes."

Exchanging a glance with Didoa, Risir drank the potion.

And he braced himself for the impending storm.

For his heart to race wildly—

For his blood to boil like fire—

For his stomach to twist and churn.

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**[Resistance Overcome]**

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"...Master Didoa. When exactly does this pain arrive?"

The storm didn’t come, leaving Risir to ask Didoa, like a patient waiting for a needle.

"..."

"Master Didoa?"

Didoa’s usually emotionless eyes quivered as she replied, stunned.

"It seems... it’s over."

"Over? But nothing happened. Was something wrong? How much—how much of the potion did I absorb?"

As Risir panicked, Didoa’s own surprise deepened.

"All of it..."

"What?"

"It seems you absorbed it all."

"Didn’t you say even absorbing fifty percent was impressive?"

"...Are you feeling any discomfort?"

"...No, it seems I’m fine."

Didoa nodded.

"Well, whatever it is, congratulations. It seems the potion intake was a huge success."

Watching everything unfold, Heinya muttered blankly to herself.

"What the—"

Risir was now gazing at the threshold of fifth rank.

---

The next day.

In the afternoon, at the appointed duel location in the tower’s courtyard, Risir and Heinya stood face-to-face.

Heinya had to convince herself countless times just to reach this place.

*It’s fine.*

*His mana may have increased a lot, but—*

*He’s still just beginning at fourth rank, clueless about Assimilation, right?*

*I can do this.*

*I can win.*

*Mana is nothing.*

*I just need to excel in manipulating mana and magic skills.*

Finally, firm in her resolve, Heinya raised her chin, her eyes filled with her usual confidence.

An almost arrogant, absolute confidence.

The man observing from a distance called out.

"Are both sides ready?"

Master Ladros, acting as an impartial referee, asked.

Risir and Heinya exchanged nods.

"Then, let’s begin."

Heinya immediately began drawing on her power, preparing to infuse all her mana with Assimilation.

"...Wait!"

Heinya’s intense aura suddenly dissipated as she looked at Risir and shouted.

"What—what is that!?"

"?

Attribute magic.

Beyond merely Assimilating her mana, Risir had transformed its essence to freely alter the nature of his mana—Essence Transformation.

Essence Transformation, a clear step beyond Assimilation, was generally only attainable by fifth-rank mages.

A foreign wind swirled around Risir, unmistakably Attribute Magic.

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**▷ Destiny 64: Guidance - Deactivated.**