"Of course, most black wizards still fit the common perception of being steeped in evil. Or perhaps some black wizards have not done such things simply because they have no need to," Layden said. "There was once an utterly mad high-ranking wizard who tried to deliberately turn himself into a black wizard despised by the world, then use the world's power of rejection in reverse and walk a path no one else had taken..."
Ruger felt his eyes growing a little dry again.
"He failed?" Ruger asked.
"He succeeded. But during the experiment, he carried out far too many attempts. Those attempts were not merely about making the world hate him. Although the experiment had been specially registered with the Supreme Council, and from another perspective, his explorations filled in certain gaps in the records and contributed to the wizarding world as a whole, in the end, he still could not—and should not—escape the fate of being hated," Layden said slowly. "That was the price he paid for power."
Beneath Layden's calm tone, Ruger could sense that wizard's madness and unflinching resolve.
But from another perspective, he truly was a powerful black wizard. Offering the Supreme Council the fruits of his exploration into unknown fields had merely earned him freedom from being hunted by Holy Judgment Wizards. The world's and people's rejection would never disappear.
Ruger thought of something else. If those favored by the world were often accompanied by good fortune, then would those rejected by it not be plagued by bad luck?
Vito, seated opposite him, opened his eyes and lowered the hand that had been held beside his ear.
Ruger suspected Vito wore his hat crooked because he was always tilting his head to listen. Worn that way, it would not fall off.
"Gentlemen, perhaps we still