Chapter 43 : Deep Mirage, Fog Valley, and Empty Mountain!!!

Everit had always been someone who prioritized enjoyment.

After all, in his previous life, he met his end suddenly while toiling away in overtime.

Arriving in this magical world in his current life, he had no desire to exhaust himself like that again.

Upon reflection, deception magic seemed to suit him quite well.

No need for fierce battles like Natsu's—no matter how satisfying it might be to pummel an opponent into submission with one's fists. Despite its coolness, it entailed too much effort and pain.

And he was rather adept at running away.

With deception magic, one could relax, feel no pressure, and even have some fun now and then.

Thus, over the years, including his time after joining the guild, his strength scarcely improved. Sure, his magical prowess had increased a bit, but there was no significant shift in his magical path.

This was evident from his continued use of Tier 6.0 for so many years.

The weak were dispatched with ease, while the strong rarely bothered to accept his commissions.

However, during the skirmish on Galuna Island, Everit realized that his offensive capabilities were lacking.

And in the confrontation with the Phantom Lord, he found it challenging to mount a counterattack when faced with a formidable opponent alone—avoiding conflict was no longer an option.

Everit feared death.

After many years, he finally felt a sense of urgency and found the drive to progress.

But.

His path to strength did not involve physical training.

Instead—

Thought.

After all, deception magic was an ancestral art of the Valliere family, yet there had never been a formidable wizard among his ancestors.

Wherever Everit ventured, he represented the pinnacle of deception magic.

With no precedent to guide him, he could only carve out his own path step by step.

In his previous life, he had watched the Bleach Anime and was aware of a formidable figure with abilities akin to his own—Aizen.

But he was not Aizen. He lacked that level of power and talent.

Magic and Reiatsu were not one and the same.

Deception magic was not mere illusion.

Though they shared similarities, they were fundamentally distinct.

He had to forge his own way.

But what lay beyond the current realm of deception magic?

Interference with reality?

Impossible.

The magic behind deception spells is merely an illusion.

Deception entails using false words to manipulate others' emotions, ultimately achieving one's own ends.

It's not some extraordinary magic.

It's merely falsehoods spun by a deceiver.

It's far from real. 

The train rumbles on, traversing a vast and desolate landscape. 

Everit inhales deeply, settling back in the seat and adjusting for comfort. However, an unpleasant odor assaults his senses. 

He turns to find the man seated beside him awkwardly edging away. Everit offers a kind smile, prompting the man to quickly promise, "I'll disembark at the next stop."

"No need," Everit shakes his head with a smile, gaze fixed outside.

"Sir, you seem preoccupied," the man ventures cautiously.

"Yes, contemplating deceit," Everit replies casually.

"Deceit? Have you been swindled, sir? Allow me to extend my sympathies," the man consoles, then adds indignantly, "I wish those scoundrels would rot in hell!"

"I've been a victim too," the man admits. 

This confession opens the floodgates of conversation. The man shares his own tale of being swindled: "It happened last year. A charlatan approached me, claiming to be from my hometown. Initially, I fell for his ruse. He promised untold riches if I invested in his venture. He spoke so fast, I felt dizzy. He painted a rosy picture, showering me with praise."

"I was on the verge of agreeing when a colleague intervened. Otherwise, I would've fallen for it," the man continues. "He vanished for a while, leaving me feeling foolish. Then he resurfaced, more earnest than ever, presenting another 'opportunity' now that he also supposedly had money."

"I was swayed, and that's when he ensnared me," the man laments. "Such swindlers are truly despicable. I was led astray without even realizing it. Every decision I made was part of his trap!"

"I was at my most vulnerable when I was duped," he confesses. "I truly believed I was on the brink of gaining wealth, losing sleep over it. My hands shook, my emotions ran wild."

"Honestly, it took me a long time to accept that I'd been deceived. I made excuses for him, convincing myself he was delayed or that delayed rewards were greater."

"It wasn't until law enforcement caught up with me six months later that I faced the truth. Only a fraction of my money was recovered."

"Sir," the man says earnestly, offering advice, "If you encounter such scams, don't engage. They're professionals, and it's best to steer clear!"

"Thank you," Everit nodded, smiling. "I'll keep that in mind."

'Tsk--'

The train pulled into the station.

"Sir, I'll be getting off first. Safe travels to you," the elderly man stood up.

"Safe travels to you as well," Everit replied, rising from his seat to reciprocate the gesture.

Once the man departed, Everit settled back into his seat.

After a while, he shook his head with a chuckle.

"After being deceived, is it truly the moment to trust the scammer the most? Lesson learned," he mused.

Everit's journey to Omelas remained quite enjoyable.

On the third-to-last day at Omelas,

He caught sight of the renowned local volcano and purchased an "ever-burning volcanic jade."

This item was remarkable, capable of storing fire.

He intended to gift it to Natsu; he was sure Natsu would appreciate it.

He spent the remainder of the day selecting gifts for each member of the guild.

On the penultimate day at Omelas,

He ventured to the final attraction.

Mount Omelas.

The scenery here held a mystical allure.

While Mount Omelas itself appeared ordinary, there was a basin nearby shrouded in perpetual fog.

He followed the other tourists into the mountains.

As they ventured further from civilization,

The lead tour guide began to sing boisterously.

Initially, the tourists simply listened, but soon found themselves joining in the chorus.

Everit was no exception.

It was a remarkably serene and almost indulgent atmosphere.

Upon reaching the basin after traversing the mountains,

The tourists grew apprehensive - the fog was dense, visibility limited. Only the individuals directly ahead were visible; beyond lay a blank canvas of white.

Each person's right hand was tethered to a rope to prevent getting lost.

Many individuals tightly gripped the rope, their nerves fraught with the fear of being hurled into the abyss.

Silence enveloped the surroundings.

Nothing pierced the dense fog veiling their vision.

With each passing moment, the tension in the air heightened, each person grappling with the notion that lurking within the white shroud were silent beasts, ready to emerge at any moment.

Or perhaps, creeping from the rear of the assembly, like the slow consumption of candied haws, gradually devouring them all!

Everit extended his hand futilely into the mist, unable to seize it, yet acknowledging its looming presence, seeding dread and apprehension.

But as his gaze gradually brightened, a wry smile crept onto his lips.

The day they departed Omelas.

Everit, much like his fellow travelers, boarded the homeward-bound train with a contented spirit.

Deception Magic.

A very weak magic.

In the long ancient history of the Valliere family, it had birthed no renowned wizards among their ancestors.

His foster father merely wielded it as a guise for a meager livelihood and became a street magician.

Yet, upon inheriting this magic legacy, Everit reshaped it with his own prowess.

Deception magic is divided into two types: deception of senses and emotion manipulation.

He delineated it into two stages.

The initial stage involves deceiving the five senses, while the subsequent stage entails guiding emotions.

Everit opted to prioritize deceiving the five senses as the primary focus of development.

Thus, he crafted two levels within this stage.

Their amalgamation is dubbed the "Phantom Realm."

The Mirage constitutes level one, a deception discernible to all.

The level two involves a deception imperceptible to all and the opponent can't even realize it.

Until today,

Whether within the two levels of the initial stage or the subsequent stage, deception magic itself lacks the capacity to inflict harm.

However, today marks a shift.

Everit has at last deduced the two levels of the subsequent stage!

Henceforth, his deception magic can be deemed to have officially entered the second stage!

One might also argue that his deception magic has ascended to a new height!

[Deep Mirage, Fog Valley, and Empty Mountain]

Everit adjusted his glasses with the ring finger of his left hand, yet he refrained from lowering his hand for a prolonged period, concealing behind his palm a grin of satisfaction and pride that refused to be contained.

From this point forward,

Deception magic is also a magic that can create miracles!

****

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