Why Do Villains Die from Talking Too Much?

"Shouldn't you explain this matter of projecting the sun to me?"

Brishisan's eyes were filled with confusion as he spoke word by word.

There was no helping it—projecting the sun... was simply far too inconceivable. He had meant to ask from the very beginning, but Li Mo had led him around in circles until he had nearly forgotten about it.

"Ah, the sun?"

Li Mo blinked. "It was just Projection Magecraft. Did something so minor really require your attention?"

Just... Projection Magecraft?

Brishisan tapped the table. Of course I fucking know it was Projection Magecraft!

But was that the point?

Projection Magecraft itself was nothing strange, but most Magi projected things like Divine Constructs. You projected a sun, and you actually called it a minor matter?

Listen to that. Was that something a human being would say?

Inhale. Inhale again. Brishisan suppressed the urge to smash Li Mo's head in and said, "What I mean is, how did you even think of projecting the sun? No, that's not right—how were you able to project the sun?"

Projection Magecraft had existed in the world of magecraft for thousands of years, yet no one had ever done anything like this!

Was this really something mere talent could accomplish? This was fundamentally not something a human could do!

"Oh, you mean the original model, Teacher?"

Li Mo suddenly understood. Scratching his head, he pulled the box containing the Withered Lotus from his robes.

"It was the sun I encountered in the world inside this last time. I hadn't thought of it at first, but then I had a sudden idea while I was at Einzbern, and... who knew I'd actually manage to project it?"

With a bashful expression, Li Mo stared straight at Brishisan.

Hurry, praise me. Wasn't my bold idea incredibly creative?

Brishisan came to a realization. It sounded simple enough, but this... couldn't be learned!

Sure enough, were the thought processes of geniuses and ordinary people simply not on the same wavelength?

But was I an ordinary person?

Brishisan sank into deep self-doubt.

It was not that he coveted his disciple's things. It was simply that academy Magi were driven by the desire to explore the unknown. Projecting the sun sounded thrilling no matter how he thought about it. Who wouldn't want to figure out how it worked?

Fine, he was nearly eighteen. This disciple of his was already a mature Magus. In the future, he probably would not need this old father to shield him from the wind and rain anymore!

Yet for some reason, Brishisan felt a pang of bitterness at that thought.

It had only been half a year!

Coming back to himself, Brishisan looked at Li Mo, who was still blinking incessantly beside him, and said earnestly, "Since you possess this level of ability, I can rest easy.

You know what lies beneath our Clock Tower, don't you?"

Li Mo nodded, indicating that he had everything under control.

Brishisan nodded as well. "Recently, the Clock Tower will be evaluating and issuing a batch of rank slots. When the time comes, I'll submit your name. However, what rank you ultimately receive will still depend on your own performance."

"Next, I'll explain the situation beneath the Clock Tower. For this rank evaluation, I intend to place it down there. First, so that you can form a contract with a familiar; second, so you can gain some experience below."

Rank evaluation?

Li Mo was somewhat speechless. Weren't those hollow titles simply handed out by the Mage Association? Could they really have any practical significance? Still, getting himself a familiar was not a bad idea...

Li Mo knew that there were plenty of Magi within the Clock Tower whose strength far surpassed their ranks, yet he had never seen them fight so hard for these things.

Seeing Li Mo's indifferent expression, Brishisan merely shook his head and smiled as he explained, "Don't look down on these titles. Every Magus granted a rank by the Mage Association possesses genuine ability."

"Besides, it isn't just a title. Think about it: when Magi are out in the world, they need to trade magecraft materials, don't they? They need to buy ley lines for cultivation, don't they? Without a rank, who would even know who you are?"

Li Mo understood. Although Mage Association ranks involved a bit of mutual flattery, they ultimately had other uses. They were like calling cards when Magi dealt with one another—oh, you're so-and-so, that XX from the Mage Association, and so on.

Seeing Li Mo nod, Brishisan smiled with satisfaction and continued, "This evaluation was originally intended for the outstanding graduates of this year's Clock Tower, so the highest possible rank is only Fes. When there's an opportunity later, I'll help you raise it further."

Raise it further?

This thing was not a true reflection of one's strength. If someone gave you the title of Grand, would you really gain the strength of a Grand?

Li Mo found it puzzling and asked, "Is there really any need to raise it? Isn't it just an empty reputation?"

Brishisan laughed heartily. "Of course there is.

You know about the excavation city beneath the Clock Tower, right?

The Mage Association has dedicated teams. Every year, the things they explore from within are distributed, and only Magi at Brand rank and above are eligible for those distribution slots."

That meant he could get free things every year?

Li Mo smiled knowingly. Tsk, the Mage Association really was wealthy!

With that thought, Li Mo nodded vigorously, declaring that he would definitely give it his all, put on a brilliant performance, and win his old teacher some glory.

Then... "Pah! Since when did I need you to win me a reputation!"

I am a dignified Clock Tower Lord, understand? Pride rank! Do you know what Pride rank is?

Ungrateful disciple!

Brishisan didn't know whether to laugh or cry. The way he looked at Li Mo gradually turned unfriendly... "Get over here!"

At attention!

"What is it, Teacher?" Li Mo stood tall and straight, but his words were shamelessly fawning.

Brishisan clutched his chest. What sin had he committed to deserve this?!

"Beneath the Clock Tower, the areas we have explored are collectively known as Spirit Tomb Albion. In truth, though, it is divided into four regions: Excavation City, the Grand Mage Circuits, the Ancient Dragon Heart, and the Fae Domain.

"This time, you'll be going to the Grand Mage Circuits."

The Grand Mage Circuits?

Li Mo blinked his big eyes, making it clear that he didn't know, had never heard of it, and shouldn't be asked.

Seeing Li Mo's expression, Brishisan sighed and said gravely, "Mō-san, I know that your trip to Germany last time gave you a great deal of confidence. That's a good thing. But Spirit Tomb Albion contains all manner of strange things. I don't want you getting hurt because of carelessness."

"As the remains of a Fallen Dragon, and because it lies infinitely close to the Sea of Stars, that place is home to countless Demonic Beasts. Even I might not make it back if I'm not careful."

Even a Clock Tower Lord might not return?

Li Mo was startled. He put away the smugness in his heart and began listening humbly to Brishisan's guidance.

Brishisan was right. Though Li Mo never said it aloud, he had always been secretly pleased with himself for projecting the sun and subduing one of the Three Great Families.

After all, he wasn't even eighteen yet, and he had managed something like that only half a year after transmigrating. How could he not be proud?

As for why Brishisan still said that was a good thing, that was a matter of perspective.

For a Magus, if one didn't even believe in oneself, then what was the point of pursuing the Root or studying the truth?

There was a proper balance to it, but such things could not be taught. Brishisan could only hope that Li Mo would come to understand it on his own.

But who was Li Mo?

He was part of the new generation raised amid the explosion of the internet in his original world, a future flower nurtured beneath the red flag!

Who hadn't heard the saying, "Pride makes one fall behind; humility makes one improve," countless times?

Li Mo still understood why villains died from talking too much.