The sky above Arcanum Academy bled with hues of rose and amber as morning broke, but for Rowan Edevane, the day began in silence. The ringing of the Academy's grand bell echoed across the stone walls, announcing the start of the weekly evaluations.
But Rowan wasn't in class. Not yet.
He stood in front of the Bell Tower again, the ring of the Unseen Star cool against his skin. Beneath the tower's shadow, the world felt thinner—as if time forgot to flow correctly here.
Last night's conversation played over and over in his mind.
A war of narratives… weaponizing belief...
Rowan didn't know if he was the weapon, the fool, or both.
"Let's see what I can twist today."
---
The first half of the day passed in a blur.
Alchemy, Theory of Constructs, Mana Ethics.
Everyone whispered when he passed by. Some glanced away. Others stared openly.
Some now feared him.
But one still hated him:
Darian Voss.
And it showed.
In Spell Theory class, Darian openly threw a mana spark near Rowan's seat, barely missing.
"Oops," he said. "Still working on my aim."
Rowan didn't even flinch.
"Try again," he said with a grin. "You're good at failing publicly."
---
That evening, the courtyard turned into a dueling arena.
The students of Class B-7 were scheduled for public spell demonstrations. Professors, sponsors, and upperclass scouts watched from the marble platforms.
Each duel would be one-on-one.
Two minutes.
No killing.
Just enough time to make an impression.
Rowan was called.
"Edevane. Voss. Arena One."
A low murmur spread like wildfire.
Round two.
Everyone remembered the angel illusion.
Everyone wanted to see if it was real.
---
Darian cracked his knuckles as he entered the circle.
"You're not hiding behind fake angels this time," he said.
Rowan smirked.
"Why would I? I've got a better audience now."
The professor raised a hand.
"Begin!"
Darian struck first, launching a barrage of mana spikes that shimmered like crystal daggers.
Rowan dodged with almost lazy motion, tapping into the system.
[JOKER SYSTEM – Active] [Available Spells: Curse Echo | Pantom Logic | New: Mirror of Disbelief]
He chose the new spell.
Mirror of Disbelief: Reflects not what is seen—but what is doubted.
The moment Darian hesitated—wondering if Rowan had learned a new spell—the mirror pulsed to life.
A twisted version of Darian appeared behind him, laughing with mockery.
"Is this all you've got?" the illusion mocked.
Darian spun, slashing wildly.
The audience saw him attacking air.
"Counterspell!" he shouted, but his mana fizzled.
Rowan clapped once.
"Bravo. You're fighting yourself now."
Darian screamed, summoned a surge of mana, and released a holy burst—a rare spell only highborns could access.
But Rowan simply snapped.
[Passive Triggered – 100% Fixed Cursed Hit]
A shockwave erupted. Not real. Just Pantom Logic.
But the entire audience believed it.
Even the professors blinked in awe as the ground shattered, lightning spiraled around Rowan, and a burning glyph appeared under his feet.
"Impossible…" one of them whispered.
Rowan whispered: "Divine Mandate: Absurd Authority."
A title he made up on the spot.
But it sounded real.
And so, the world obeyed.
---
Darian fell to his knees, eyes wide, pupils shaking.
"Stop... STOP! I didn't sign up for this!"
Rowan walked over slowly. The glyphs faded. The illusion unraveled like thread.
And everyone could see Darian.
Covered in mud, scorched by his own light magic, crying from panic.
Rowan leaned in.
"You brought this on yourself. Never bully someone who fights with tricks. We write better endings."
He turned and walked away.
[+45 Prank Points] [Crowd Influence: Moderate. Rumor Generation – Activated]
---
After the duel, Rowan was pulled aside—not by a professor, but by a familiar silver-robed figure.
Faye, the young emissary of the Order.
"That was reckless," she said.
"That was effective," Rowan replied.
She looked at him for a long time.
"We need to accelerate your training."
"Why?"
"Because you're no longer playing with schoolyard illusions," Faye said. "The world has started to believe in your madness. That gives you power. But also makes you a target."
She reached into her robe and handed him a scroll.
Initiation Trial: The Door of Belief
> Task: Create an impossible event witnessed by three high-ranking mages. Constraint: No real mana use. Only system-based illusion.
"Pass this, and you're not just a candidate anymore," she said. "You become an Initiate of the Veiled Path."
Rowan looked at the scroll, then at the glowing crowd still buzzing from the duel.
"I already have their attention," he said.
He smiled darkly.
"Time to make them worship fiction."
END OF CHAPTER 6