I thought a lot about it.
With the emergence of “Illusion,” which is essentially a cheat code.
“Card games are good, strategy games are good, dungeon RPGs are good too.”
After three days and nights of discussion with the magicians, we decided to postpone everything.
The reason was simple. Unlike me, Arkhé Magic Tower was truly in a life-or-death situation this time.
It was also true that there were too many problems to push forward just because “I want to try it!”
“In the end, the biggest problem is… the entry barrier.”
Entry barrier.
It could be complex rules, special materials needed, or the time it takes to play a board game you don’t know well.
Strategy games are fun. They are the flower and essence of board games, but they can easily take hours per game, and it’s hard to fully enjoy them until you completely understand the complex rules.
So, I moved on.
Card games were good too. You could summon monster cards as illusions, and battles, magic, and trap cards could all be realized as illusions, but the problem was that you still needed physical “cards.”
Since illusions have no physical form, the cards had to be real, and in the current situation of the Magic Tower, where even small expenses are a concern, preparing an unknown number of cards for a card game was somewhat of a gamble.
Moreover, while I could recite the rules of strategy board games, I wasn’t confident about the balance between cards or the detailed rules.
So, I put it on hold.
There were many other miscellaneous games, but what I valued most was “visual effects” and “experience.”
I wanted to play that board game myself. I wanted to feel the desire to play one more round.
To make the most of the illusions, and to create an irreplaceable fun that only Arkhé Magic Tower could provide.
Even if others copied it, they would have to come to Arkhé Magic Tower to experience the true fun.
The game I chose was <Abracawat>.
Since the phrase “Abracadabra” exists in this world, I changed the name to that. A slightly more familiar name is easier to remember.
“It’s not groundbreaking or a masterpiece, just a decently fun game.”
You only need to know three rules.
First, you can’t see your own magic. You can only see others’ magic.
Second, if you recite a non-existent spell, your life will be drained.
Third, if you succeed, you can recite spells continuously.
But the core rule of Abracawat was what I aimed for.
The fact that you have to recite spells.
In the original world, that was just a cringy middle schooler’s line or a laughable element.
But what if you added illusions that are almost indistinguishable from reality?
“In a world where magic exists, not everyone is a magician.”
In fact, magicians are extremely rare even by this world’s standards. It’s not for nothing that the Empire, a dominant power, supports and favors the Magic Tower.
Moreover, if a trend brings people to Arkhé Magic Tower, most of them would be ordinary people like me.
To gather people with a completely new board game, rather than a well-known one within the Empire, you need to make a huge impact.
For example, a board game that offers the experience of becoming a real magician, even if it’s just an illusion.
“But honestly.”
It’s not like I had no personal bias.
Abracawat was, after all, one of my favorite board games.
It just happened to fit perfectly, what can I do?
“So.”
For the first time in a long time, let’s just enjoy it.
The board game I really loved.
…The board game that helped me through tough times.
*
Vermily Arkon was enjoying the current situation.
He was a well-known board game enthusiast in Arkhé Magic Tower.
Even though, as an enthusiast, the only board game that was widely played in the Magic Tower, where talents from across the continent gathered, was the one on the giant board game table.
But he thought he was quite passionate.
“I was a frog in a well.”
Vermily, who was called a demon for trying out board games around him.
Compared to the “real deal” over there, he was just an ordinary person.
“Abracadabra, huh.”
He had heard of it. It’s not used now, but it was one of the phrases often recited when using magic in the past.
Any magician who studied the history of magic would know it.
Naming a board game after it was a brilliant idea.
But more than that.
Vermily was in awe of the board game Abracadabra itself.
“At first glance, it seems complex, but it’s actually simple.”
It’s just a game of guessing what the stone tablet in front of you is.
But by adding magic attacks, competition, and penalties, it transformed into a board game of excellent quality.
Could this really come from the mind of a young man who just came of age?
Having tried to create a board game himself, he couldn’t help but be even more astonished.
“No, no.”
But now is not the time for such thoughts.
In the end, the only thing that mattered was the chance to play the board game created by a genius.
Even though it had only been a few days, Vermily, who had become a fan of Kyle, laughed fiercely.
“Alright, then.”
Which magic should I choose?
Vermily’s gaze scanned the friendly instruction manual that had appeared.
‘[Dragon Breath], [Whisper of the Reaper], [Sanctuary of the Gods], [Eye of Truth], [Lightning Magic], [Ice Magic], [Fire Magic].’
From 1st to 7th grade, according to Kyle’s explanation, each grade has the same number of stone tablets. So, if you add them all up, there should be 28 tablets.
The most powerful [Dragon Breath] has only 1 tablet, while the lowest grade [Fire Magic] has 7 tablets. Since Kyle has already memorized one, only 6 remain.
‘Hmm? But didn’t you say there were 8 types of magic?’
However, the instruction manual only lists 7 types.
For a moment, Vermily thought Kyle might have made a mistake.
‘………Huh?’
At the very bottom of the instruction manual.
There was a strangely highlighted red text.
‘[The first player whose life drops to 1 will be randomly provided with one of the hidden magics.]’
Ah, so that’s it.
I’m dying to know what this hidden magic is, but the condition is way too risky.
Life dropping to 1? That means you could get knocked out of the game by any magic.
You might even get eliminated before your turn comes, even if you receive the hidden magic.
‘But it must be incredibly powerful.’
I’ll keep that in mind.
After a moment of contemplation, Vermily raised his hand above his head.
As someone who loves board games, he wanted to immerse himself a bit like Kyle.
“Lightning Storm!”
“………!!”
“Oh!”
The 5th grade [Lightning Magic].
Unlike the 7th grade [Fire Magic], which only affects one person, this higher-level magic causes both players to lose 1 life.
The higher the grade, the lower the probability. Simply put, the probability is 5 out of 28, roughly 18%. Considering the [Lightning Magic] Kyle and Adela already have, it’s even lower.
It’s not a high probability, but it’s the same for other magics.
Since 4th grade and above magics are fewer in number, [Lightning Magic] is the highest grade you can comfortably call.
And his judgment was spot on.
Crackle!!
“This is the Master’s illusion…!!”
A dark cloud formed above his outstretched hand, and a dazzling lightning bolt covered the cloud, striking down on him.
For a moment, he thought it was a penalty for calling the wrong magic, but instead of burning his life, the lightning just ran through his body.
Since it’s an illusion, there’s no risk of electrocution, but Vermily’s entire body flickered blue as if he had truly absorbed the lightning.
“This is…!”
But what shocked Vermily wasn’t just the spectacle.
When he moved his body, the lightning moved with him. When he tilted his hand, the dark cloud moved accordingly.
It was an astonishingly precise illusion control.
‘Illusions can’t latch onto something. They’re just visual, and they shouldn’t change according to my movements.’
Yet, the lightning was naturally following him.
It must be the work of Master Olfin, the Archmage and Master of the Magic Tower. With control like this, Vermily was having a unique experience.
He was a mage from the Arkhé Magic Tower, which specializes in light and dark magic. He couldn’t use other elemental magics, except through illusions.
But now, it felt like he had become a mage who wielded lightning.
Without further delay, he let the lightning coursing through his body guide him as he stretched his hands toward Adela and Kyle!
“…………….”
“Vermily, that was an excellent performance.”
“Ha, haha!”
He wasn’t entirely without embarrassment, but he was more than just happy.
After all, there were no onlookers to mock him as childish in the face of Master Olfin’s overwhelming illusion.
It was a strange feeling, like being a child again.
In the midst of his uncontrollable giggles, Vermily nodded in satisfaction.
“I’ll end my turn here.”
As soon as he declared the end of his turn, another stone tablet fell, replacing the destroyed [Lightning Magic] tablet.
And something was inscribed in the middle of the three players.
“What’s that………?”
“Whenever someone casts a magic, it’s recorded there. From now on, you can see how many magics are left.”
[Fire Magic] remaining: 6. [Lightning Magic] remaining: 4.
So, that’s how you keep track of the numbers and deduce.
Vermily, already in a state of enjoyment, didn’t pay much attention.
He casually turned his gaze to the next player.
‘Adela, what about you?’
The protégé of Master Olfin, a genius born from the Arkhé Magic Tower, and the presumed next Master of the Magic Tower.
But Vermily felt sorry for Adela. The other mages in the tower felt the same.
No matter how close you tried to get, the distance never closed. She was a capable mage, but utterly mechanical, and she didn’t even have a single hobby.
That’s why Vermily, no matter how slim the chance…
Even if it’s just a possibility, I hoped Adela would find fun through this board game.
Master Olfin, Vermily, and the other magicians in the tower too.
………Because she owed a debt to Adela’s deceased parents.
*
──Tower Master, then what is the jealousy you speak of?
──……Knowing that would be the first step.
‘……I don’t know.’
I don’t know. I have no idea.
I kept recalling Master Olfin’s words, but I couldn’t grasp the meaning.
What exactly am I jealous of?
‘I’m not from a prestigious family, just the third son, and incompetent.’
Which part, exactly?
How long did I agonize over this?
Suddenly, a voice reached Adela’s ear.
“Adela! Sorry to interrupt your thoughts, but it’s your turn to cast a spell.”
“………You.”
“Three lives left. Isn’t this going to be your last turn before you’re out?”
Out? What does it matter if I’m out?
If it weren’t for the Tower Master’s words, I wouldn’t even be playing this board game with you.
If I lose, I lose………
Ah.
‘……Lose, you say?’
In front of the Tower Master and all the magicians of the tower.
To that person I dislike for no reason.
Lose without doing anything, pathetically?
‘That.’
That alone.
“Absolutely not……!!”
It’s fine to lose to Vermily. She’s a fellow magician of the tower, and the tower’s magicians are like family to her.
But Kyle Byron, to you alone.
I don’t want to lose.
If I lose, the Tower Master and everyone’s attention will───
‘First, I need to recover my life.’
The board game, this kind of game itself was a first for Adela, but she had somewhat grasped the context of Abracadabra.
Adela had three lives left, Kyle also had three, and only Vermily still had her initial five.
If I cast the wrong spell here, my life will drop to two, and as Kyle said, there’s a high chance I’ll be out before the next turn.
To prevent that.
Right now, the best move isn’t to attack blindly but to recover my life.
“………Sanctuary of the Gods.”
Ugh.
A 3rd-level spell, [Sanctuary of the Gods].
The only means of recovery in Abracadabra, the effect of this spell is to recover three lives.
Unlike Kyle or Vermily, I didn’t mix any actions. Just quietly recited the spell.
Soon, the figure of an angel, glowing with radiance, descended in the middle of the three players, and one of the angel’s three hands reached out to Adela.
The other two stone tablets didn’t have [Sanctuary of the Gods]. If this works, I can gain a significant advantage.
If only it works………
“……….”
“……Oh no.”
But the three-handed angel didn’t grant Adela any life.
Instead, with a pitiful look, it crushed one of her lives with its outstretched hand.
Now, only two lives remain.
Even if Kyle and Vermily are allowed to cast spells just once, I could be out.
Hurriedly, Adela turned her head towards the next turn.
“Adela.”
“Ah………!”
“You know, right?”
7th-level, [Fire Magic].
The fire that announced the start of the board game, the fire that had engulfed Adela, flared up again.
“Ugh, ah!?”
“………?”
Adela clenched her teeth, bracing for the incoming fireball, but the flames headed not for her but for Kyle. The burning, ever-burning flames consumed Kyle and one of his lives.
Watching Kyle’s lives drop from three to two, Adela unconsciously swallowed hard.
‘Luck……was on my side.’
It was nothing but sheer luck. Even though Kyle had cast one, there were still six fire spells left.
The highest probability for Kyle to attack her was with fire magic, and Adela had dodged it.
Does this put me in a safe zone── if you can call it that.
Adela’s anxious gaze turned to Vermily.
‘If she successfully casts spells twice in a row……….’
Spells aren’t limited to one per turn. If you keep succeeding, you can cast as many as the stone tablets in front of you, up to five times in a row.
Vermily had already hit the somewhat low-probability [Lightning Magic] earlier. There’s no guarantee I won’t lose both lives here.
Unlike Adela, who clenched her fists in tension, Vermily, with a relaxed demeanor, glanced at Kyle and her before raising her hand.
“Ice Spear!”
Vermily’s choice was the 6th-level [Ice Magic].
Its effect is to reduce the life of the player to the right by one.
Naturally, the player to Vermily’s right was Adela.
Splat!
“………….”
The ice and the magician’s stone tablet crumbled, and Vermily’s ice spear pierced Adela’s heart.
But why is it?
Even though it’s just an illusion.
Adela truly felt as if something had flown and stabbed her chest.
‘Why me………and not that guy?’
That was, subtly, because they were from the same tower and like family.
Maybe it was because she thought Vermily, who she considered an ally, would naturally target Kyle.
Adela felt betrayed by something unknown. They both had two lives, so why was she targeted? What on earth was Vermily thinking?
However, her thoughts didn’t last long.
Because immediately, Vermily chanted another spell.
“And… Dragon Breath…!!!”
“……!!”
A first-grade spell, the only one of its kind—[Dragon Breath].
Adela’s eyes widened as she recalled its effect.
“[Dragon Breath] allows you to freely divide 3 damage among other players…!!”
Finally, it seemed like Vermily’s plan became clear. She realized what he was aiming for.
‘Victory!’
The reason he targeted Adela instead of Kyle? Because all he needed was to combine their lives to make 3.
The remaining counts of [Ice Magic] and [Fire Magic] were the same. Vermily could see Kyle and Adela’s stone tablets, so he must’ve analyzed them and chosen the one with higher probability. It just happened to be [Ice Magic].
With that plan in mind, Vermily made his move.
A high-stakes gamble to end the game in one shot with the highest-grade spell!
Grrrrrrrr──
“…Oh my.”
And then, in response to Vermily’s spell, a dragon appeared.
Unlike previous spells that appeared near the players or in the center, this one emerged at the ceiling of the Magic Tower, where all three players had to look up to see it.
Even though its size wasn’t enormous, its dark red skin, pulsating muscles, and the flames burning in its mouth made it clear—this was a dragon.
It was the pinnacle of illusion, something only Master Olfin, the lord of the Magic Tower, who had supposedly hunted dragons, could manifest.
Whoooosh!!!
Flames poured from the black dragon’s mouth.
The illusion of [Fire Magic] was impressive, but the dragon’s breath was on a whole other level.
It didn’t spread unnecessarily—it shot straight forward.
A blue flame, far surpassing the red flames of the magicians, surged ahead.
Where was this grand breath headed?
Adela already knew the outcome. She could clearly see Vermily’s stone tablet.
And so.
“Gah!?”
“………”
Adela felt relieved.
Not because of Vermily, but because she was given the chance to eliminate Kyle herself.
The blue flame breath swallowed Vermily whole, burning away his life.
Now, Vermily had four lives left.
Still more than the combined lives of Adela and Kyle.
“Ah… I thought it was the perfect opportunity. What a shame.”
It was Adela’s turn again. Even though she thought it was impossible after failing [Divine Sanctuary], she was given another chance.
A final opportunity to eliminate Kyle and not lose to him.
‘But…’
Adela only had one life left. If she chanted the wrong spell, she’d be eliminated immediately.
In contrast, Vermily had four lives, and Kyle had two.
Could she overcome this hopeless situation?
Before hope could take root, a vague sense of impossibility washed over her.
“Adela.”
“……..?”
“Did you read the manual thoroughly?”
“The… manual?”
“This is the last and the best chance.”
At Kyle’s cryptic words, Adela instinctively glanced at the manual.
“……Huh?”
Her eyes focused on the red text in the manual.
Master Olfin, who had been silently observing the three players while constructing illusions, finally spoke.
“Since Adela’s life was the first to reach 1, according to the rules, she is granted a hidden spell.”
“Tower Master.”
“Adela, give it a try.”
Whoosh.
A small stone tablet, personally crafted by Olfin, flew to Adela.
Was the hidden spell provided in a way that allowed immediate use without any invisibility?
All eyes—players, spectators, and even the Tower Master—were on her.
As a familiar image of a middle-aged male and female magician holding hands entered Adela’s vision.
[Continuing Magic: The next spell you chant will have its effect applied twice.]
“……This is it.”
Adela had a gut feeling.
No matter what happened.
This turn—she had to end it all.
