Chapter 82

A false sorcerer is someone who claims to be a sorcerer despite not being one, and demands money or goods.

For example, suppose there was a sick child.

A person who is not a sorcerer at all would claim to treat the child and chant a spell, saying "chin from hoi!"

And by chance, the illness gets better.

A false sorcerer is born.

After that, they would say whatever comes to mind, demand a lot of treatment fees or prayer fees, and quickly escape if they are found out to be a fraud.

That said, this level is still relatively harmless.

A worse false sorcerer might apply a mysterious medicine to a minor scrape or cut that would heal on its own, causing tetanus.

After all, in a world where real sorcerers exist, people can be easily deceived.

While there are many sorcerers with basic abilities, there are not many who can perform more advanced techniques.

Therefore, even real sorcerers can be deceived.

Some real sorcerers even apprentice themselves to false sorcerers (of course, they are just slightly more skilled than laymen).

If asked, "Why don't you serve the country?" they might answer, "I have no interest in such worldly matters."

If asked, "Master! Teach me soul transfer!" they might say, "Listen, sorcery is not something to show off to others," and give a plausible-sounding lecture to avoid the question.

In short, they are frauds.

---

"How about it, Father-in-law?"

"It seems good. I think you should do it."

I obtain permission from my father-in-law, the former King of Rosais, who has retired.

Although I am the current King of Rosais and do not need to seek his approval, he is still the former king, even if retired.

His opinion cannot be ignored.

While special permission is not required for public works such as flood control, it is prudent to seek permission for the addition or amendment of laws.

This is a way to show that I will not neglect the former king and the Rosais family.

---

"Still, Yuria, you were thinking about this. Why didn't you propose it to me?"

"Because Father-in-law was ill."

Yuria's consideration was to not burden the sick father-in-law with additional work.

Or perhaps she only thought of it recently.

In any case, creating new laws is a very time-consuming task, which would be difficult for the sick father-in-law.

I, being young, can handle it.

I can work two shifts in a row.

"Then what is the content? Tell me specifically."

"Sure, I understand."

I explain Yuria's proposal to my father-in-law.

First, sorcerers will be licensed.

In other words, it will be similar to a medical license.

They will be divided into three ranks: upper, middle, and lower.

The condition for the upper rank is the ability to perform advanced sorcery, including soul transfer.

The condition for the middle rank is the ability to perform basic sorcery such as curses and barrier spells, and to apply them effectively.

The condition for the lower rank is the ability to perform basic sorcery.

Those who do not meet these conditions will not be recognized as sorcerers.

Upper-rank sorcerers will receive a gold plate, middle-rank sorcerers a silver plate, and lower-rank sorcerers a copper plate as proof of their license.

Performing sorcery or claiming to be a sorcerer without a license will be a crime punishable by ten lashes.

The cultivation of narcotics necessary for sorcery will be prohibited (except for marijuana).

The state will cultivate these narcotics under strict supervision and sell them only to licensed sorcerers.

Those who discover or invent new narcotics, medicines, or sorcery techniques must report them to the state.

The state will pay appropriate compensation to the reporter.

This will prevent sorcery from being monopolized by a single sorcerer.

Next, the system of national sorcerers.

In simple terms, they are state-employed sorcerers.

National sorcerers must be at least middle rank.

National sorcerers will receive a monthly pension and can purchase narcotics at a lower price, among other benefits.

In return, they must respond immediately when called by the state.

There are likely a certain number of sorcerers who have not served the state.

This law is to employ such sorcerers.

Next, the Sorcery Academy.

In simple terms, it is a state-run sorcery research institute.

The state will provide research funds and pay high salaries to the sorcerers affiliated with it.

Sorcerers are free to conduct research, but they must follow the state's guidelines to some extent.

Next, the Sorcerer Training School.

Until now, to become a sorcerer, one had to apprentice to another sorcerer and undergo training.

However, this method cannot produce many sorcerers, and the state cannot keep track of their numbers.

Therefore, a state-run school will be established.

Once a year, girls over eight years old will be gathered at the palace.

For one month, they will be taught sorcery to determine if they have talent.

According to Yuria, if they are not exceptionally late bloomers, one month is enough to determine if they have talent.

After that, the children and their parents will be approached to see if they want to become sorcerers.

The state will cover the moving expenses of the parents to some extent.

If the parents cannot move, the children can live in a dormitory.

Tuition will be free.

Incidentally, the teachers will be national sorcerers, who will be paid.

The cost will be high, but it is a worthwhile investment.

Since there are few talented sorcerers, the number of students will likely be around a hundred.

Finally, the Magic Academy.

This is Tetr's request.

In essence, it is an institution for the study of magic.

According to Tetr, designing magic arrays can be done even by non-sorcerers.

In fact, mathematical talent is more important.

Currently, Tetr is the only member.

Whether it will grow is a mystery. Since it is a new field, it is unclear how to cultivate talent.

However, the Sorcerer Training School will teach mathematics, so people interested in magic will likely appear.

This will depend on Tetr's recruitment efforts.

Additionally, the fields will be divided.

Sorcery will be divided into five fields: Sorcery (curses), Alchemy (medicines), Holy Sorcery (anti-curses), Spirit Sorcery (soul-related), and Magic (magic).

This is similar to dividing a single academic field into language, mathematics, science, and social studies.

To be honest, I don't see much difference.

I plan to leave this to Yuria and Tetr.

Incidentally, according to this field division theory, Soyon will specialize in Spirit Sorcery, Ruru in Sorcery, and Tetr in Magic.

Yuria is proficient in all fields except Magic, but is particularly skilled in Alchemy and Holy Sorcery.

---

"You're doing quite a lot."

"I don't intend to do everything at once. We'll start with the licensing system, national sorcerers, and the Sorcery Academy."

It will take at least two months to fully implement.

"What about the crackdown on false sorcerers?"

"We will use the standing army. They will immediately go to apprehend false sorcerers upon receiving a report."

Incidentally, the discoverer will receive one gold coin.

People will likely report enthusiastically.

---

"Do you intend to apply this law to the territories of the nobles?"

"Yes, I do. The measures against false sorcerers are necessary for the nobles as well."

There shouldn't be much complaint.

There might be some dissatisfaction with the national sorcerer system, but if they don't want to be taken by the state, they can offer better conditions.

This is no different from the past.

However, the school will only be established in the direct jurisdiction of the state.

There will likely be resistance.

"The key to this law is the centralized management of all sorcerers' information. Right?"

"Yes, that's correct."

Information is important.

I plan to start with the centralization of information and human resources.

"Well, this level of law should pass the noble council. I'll put in a good word. Good luck."

"Thank you."

---

A week later, at the noble council, all the laws were successfully passed.

---

Two months after the laws were implemented.

"Sorcerer, I've been giving my child your medicine every day, but it's not getting better."

A woman asks an old woman.

This woman has a sick child.

"Well, what can you do? It's not something that works immediately."

The woman looks suspicious at the old woman's response.

"It's been two months. When will it start working?"

"What? Do you doubt me?"

When the old woman speaks strongly, the woman shakes her head.

There is no other sorcerer in the village.

"Don't worry. It will get better soon. I'll go home now."

The old woman says and leaves.

---

"Haha, what a fool. That's just a ball of wheat. It's not medicine. It won't work."

The old woman laughs, holding her stomach.

The old woman has been using the same trick to extort large amounts of wheat, salt, and alcohol from the surrounding villages.

There are many skilled sorcerers around the palace, but this is a remote area.

There is no sorcerer in the area who can see through the old woman's false sorcery.

The surrounding villages have no choice but to rely on the old woman.

Moreover, there are fewer people who have seen sorcery performed live than one might think.

There are not enough sorcerers to meet the state's needs.

"Excuse me!!"

Someone knocks on the door.

The old woman opens the door to find a young woman standing there. Several soldiers are waiting behind her.

"I am Lulu, a national sorcerer. You are suspected of fraud. Please show me your sorcery license."

The old woman frowns.

She doesn't know what a sorcery license is.

"What? What's that?"

"Oops, have you not heard? Recently, a law was passed that all sorcerers must have a license to practice sorcery."

"I don't know anything about that."

In fact, the old woman did not know about the law.

The number of bureaucrats in the Kingdom of Rosais is still small, and many villages are overlooked.

"I apologize. This is our mistake. Let's confirm it now. It will be quick."

Lulu forces the old woman to demonstrate sorcery with a smile.

The old woman is confused because she cannot perform sorcery properly.

"Listen, sorcery is not something to be taken lightly