My Magus Academy is Run by Players?! [Western Cultivation LitRPG]

Victor was alarmed.

The twins who appeared before him were not mere projections but flesh-and-blood beings. As he had expected, the two of them were homunculi, as evidenced by the gems-like carved stone between their chests, hidden under their clothes. And from the mana fluctuations they emitted when using his mana sense, they were not at all inferior compared to Victor. Holy shit!

Garry, the male overseer, stepped forward and uttered, “Congratulations on passing the second trial. You have fulfilled the conditions we imposed: to be the only one remaining conscious within thirty minutes time.”

Victor hadn’t been briefed on the rules of the second trial, but it seemed he had unwittingly completed it. Based on Garry’s words, thirty minutes must have elapsed since the trial’s commencement; otherwise, Lumen wouldn’t have been allowed inside.

“Did you two assist me and orchestrate all this for your amusement?” Victor inquired as he squinted his eyes at them, prepared for any adverse developments.

“Yup,” Gabrielle affirmed with a nod. “Since it would be more entertaining that way. Actually, these trials were something that we personally designed,”

Designed personally? What does she mean by that? Victor creased his eyebrows, puzzled by her statement.

Having noticed Victor’s confusion, Garry chuckled and explained, “Apologies. My sister isn’t being completely honest with you. You see, our masters granted us the authority to design the trials as we saw fit.”

“Why did you tell me all this?” After all, they had no reason to tell him this, let alone help him, unless they had some hidden motives that they were trying to achieve.

“It’s because of your unique elemental affinity,” Garry answered. “Like our masters, each leader of the Steelrose Order possesses Cosmo elemental affinity. It, in fact, holds more significance than completing these nonsense trials,” he added.

“I see…” Victor went silent for a moment to think before asking, “Does that mean I pass the remaining trials?”

“Not exactly, yet not false either.” Garry shook his head. “The remaining two consist of testing your wisdom and soul potential. We’ve assessed your potential, and you barely pass. As for wisdom, since it’s not very important at the moment and your performance of tricking your former comrades has been entertaining, we can omit that, too,”

“So, that means I own this place now?” Victor could hardly hold himself from laughing silly. This was such a heaven-sent!

“Technically, yes,” Gabrielle answered, “but clearing the trial doesn’t mean we’ll acknowledge you as our master. Without us, with your current power, this place would be useless.”

Indeed, while they said that the one who passed the trials would inherit the legacy of their masters, they made no mention of serving him. Without their allegiance, controlling this place would remain a distant dream. Therefore, only by making them submit, would he be able to control this place.

“So, what should I do to gain your allegiance?” Victor couldn’t help but ask.

“There is one final trial,” Gabrielle said slowly as she raised a finger. “You must defeat both of us.”

“Mm, indeed,” Garry agreed with a nod. “Only by defeating the two of us at our fullest strength will we recognize you as our new master. Naturally, we won’t hold back, so failure to achieve victory would result in death.”

Beat the two of them? I’m already beaten up, and they expect me to fight in this condition? And against two entities whose true powers I can’t even see? This is absurd!

But they should not be that unreasonable; at least Victor felt that there should be some time for respite, so he asked when the trial could be taken to them.

“Right now,” Gabrielle stated coldly. “Follow us, and you shall be guided to our ‘true forms.’”

Victor felt a lump form in his throat and had no chance to think of anything else. In a desperate attempt to get out of this situation, he tried to haggle. “Uh, can we perhaps postpone this trial for a later date? Once I recover and have prepared myself, I promise that I will return to this place.”

“No.” Her response was swift and merciless. “Once you’re in, there’s no turning back until you’ve completed all the trials. You can bring your wolf companion if you lack confidence.” Gabrielle’s voice turned even colder, as if she wouldn’t hesitate to drag him toward the trial if he did not comply. Concurrently, an intangible killing intent pervaded the room, causing Victor’s hair to stand on end. Even Lumen was no exception.

Victor’s heart sank as he realized the direness of his predicament. Even with Lumen by his side, his chances of success would not exceed 10 percent with his current condition — that was if he used everything at his disposal.

“Wait, my little sis.” Garry gestured for her to halt from taking any action. “There’s something that I need to confirm first.” His gaze fixed on Victor, curiosity sparking in his eyes. “Young man, show me your left wrist.”

My left wrist? Victor hesitated for a moment, but complied, pulling back the sleeve of his robe to reveal the black mark etched beneath. Garry’s expression shifted subtly with a mixture of recognition and surprise crossing his features.

“Isn’t that…” He trailed off, a wry chuckle escaping him. “Ah, so that’s how it is. This is the machination of that ‘esteemed figure.’ No wonder.”

“Sorry, who?” Just then, the figure of the mysterious previous headmaster flashed in his mind… But it couldn’t be, right?

Having read Victor’s realization, he nodded his head. “It seems that you’ve figured it out. Way back tens of thousands of years ago, one of the leaders of the Steelrose Order found themselves indebted to your predecessor, and all that esteemed figure wanted was a favor.”

Holy… Tens of thousands of years ago? Victor could feel his breathing become rapid, like being struck by a thunderbolt. Tens of thousands of years ago meant that it was an era before the Dark Age.

“They were quite a mysterious figure shrouded in secrecy; no one knew their true identity. Yet, one fact remains undeniable — they were the headmaster of the largest Magus academy the world has ever known. Regrettably, the academy declined and fractured into pieces when your predecessor disappeared for reasons unknown. I guess there should be nothing remaining of it now, am I right?”

At this sudden information dump, Victor could hardly wrap his head around it. The fantastical tale he had woven for the players to evoke awe now appeared to have roots in reality… But this revelation also brought with it a host of unforeseen troubles, not unlike the ones he had alluded to in his narrative (about ancient enemies and stuff).

Suddenly, Victor realized something peculiar, so he asked them, “Wait a moment. You keep revering the previous headmaster with ‘they.’ Did you not know their gender?”

He had always been curious about this fact. Magi were a strange bunch and were of many kinds, which were not limited to humans only. Some intelligent species out there exhibit traits similar to humans but were androgynous at the same time.

“Beats us.” Garry shrugged with helplessness. “Your predecessor is a very enigmatic figure and is even more ancient than the Steelrose Order. Do you believe unraveling their secrets to be a simple task?”

Outliving even the Steelrose Order… Just how ancient is the previous headmaster? It had to be mentioned that the lifespan of Sigil Conversion Magus would not exceed five hundred years… If they could live for tens of thousands of years, it meant that the cultivation of the previous headmaster must be at a level beyond comprehension.

“Enough of the small talk.” Garry waved his hand, pulling Victor back to the present. “While our master may have owed a favor, rules are rules. The trial still has to be commenced regardless.”

“Is there no other way around this? Maybe like, postpone it for a month or something?” Victor tried to negotiate again. After all, he was not certain of being able to emerge victorious unscathed; this pocket dimension was more dangerous than he had thought. If he was given time to get prepared, then he would be more confident to challenge it.  

Garry paused for a moment and whispered something to his sister. Even with Victor’s heightened perception, he couldn’t eavesdrop on their conversation.

After a moment, Garry relented, albeit with a condition. “Very well. We’ll grant you a deadline of one month; we’ll conduct the trial then.”

They actually agreed?! Victor couldn’t believe his ears and the bottled-up excitement. I should have asked for longer… Oh well, a month is enough.

As he thought that, with a flick of his finger, Garry sent a mana thread toward Victor’s other wrist, causing it to glow yellow. Then, his sister Gabrielle warned, “That mark will serve as a time bomb. You can only deactivate it by honoring your promise. Fail to return, and you’ll face the consequences,” and a sinister smile formed on her lips, sending shivers down Victor’s back. Scary…

Still, another mark, huh? Another burden to bear. Victor made a wry smile as he realized that both of his hands were now branded with something ominous.

Finding that the immediate crisis was resolved just like that, Victor could finally let out a long exhale, releasing the tension that had gripped his shoulders. Now, he could take stock of his surroundings — the aftermath of his intense battle with Graviel.

Surveying the chamber, Victor noted the scattered remnants of his confrontation: chunks of ice, charred debris, and scattered holes marred the once pristine space. Yet, what caught his attention most were his former comrades, who were encased in ice. As a matter of fact, Elara, Jared, and Dorian, despite being in close proximity to the battle between two official Magi, were miraculously still alive. They had managed to survive any collateral damage and stray magic going their way, shielded by the icy barrier that had formed around them, though they were far from unscathed.

Relief washed over Victor knowing they were not reduced to smithereens; he could stick with his plans. Just that they might require urgent first aid. But before that, Victor seized the opportunity to inquire about any treasures or resources within the pocket dimension to the overseers while he was at it.

The twin homunculi exchanged glances at each other before responding cautiously, “Valuable treasures or resources to note, you say? Why do you ask?”

“Simple curiosity. Nothing more,” replied Victor with the most honest face he could muster up. He was just trying his luck here; if they refused to answer, then there was nothing he could do.

The two homunculi deliberated silently before Garry finally spoke up. “Since you’ve technically passed the four trials, you have the right to know. Well…”

With rapt attention, Victor listened as the homunculi detailed the riches hidden within the pocket dimension, each revelation causing him to be amazed again and again. This pocket dimension indeed served as a primary stronghold for the Steelrose Order, boasting lush gardens teeming with rare magical flora and a sprawling ecosystem beyond the mechanical tower. Most enticing of all were the thousands of dormant mechanical golems scattered throughout the facility as well as the vaults containing untold treasures.

Victor couldn’t imagine what would become of him if all of these things fell into his lap. He would for sure become a force that no one in the Luminous Kingdom dared to underestimate. But better not to count his chickens before they hatched; there was still much to be done before he could claim such rewards.

[Mission Accomplished!]

[Congratulations on passing the mission. You have investigated what’s inside the pocket dimension and note down any treasures worth taking.]

[The reward (500 academy points) has been issued.]

Nice. It is now counted as finished.

“Hehe.”

Victor’s ear twitched as he caught Gabrielle’s subtle chuckle. Did he do something wrong?

Regardless, it was time to get out of this place and return to the academy. But first, he gathered all his enemies, who had been thawed and cast with a magic sealing spell, as well as Rowan who was left in the previous chamber. Just in case, he used his infused mana to suppress their consciousness so that they wouldn’t wake up mid-journey. Of course, he had not forgotten to take their surviving valuables, including the interspatial ring that Graviel had dropped. 

After tidying up everything, he asked, “A quick question: How should I leave this pocket dimension?”

“We can send you straight out with our authorities,” answered Garry.

“Neat. Well then, let’s proceed.” Victor rubbed his hands together. Although he could use his power to create an exit similar to the one he entered, the stability of such a crack in space remained uncertain.

As the two overseers were about to send Victor on his way, out of the blue, an unexpected idea struck Victor.  If they agreed, it could prove immensely beneficial not only to himself but also to the players.

“Um, do you mind if I make one more request?” Victor sheepishly said to them. “Can you let my play— acolytes explore this pocket dimension?”

“…”