Becoming a Shadow in the New World

Did he solve Xiao Gucheng's problem?

Let's just assume he's solved it.

Ancient City, I'm so sorry, I scared you last night. I didn't expect that someone as irrational as you could be frightened. If I had known, I would never have scared you with a nuclear bomb.

But I've already taken care of the aftermath for you, so I don't owe you anything, and you weren't hurt, right?

Chapter Forty-Four: Magical Intellectual Property Protection Law

"Have you heard? Shadow appeared on the island yesterday."

"What? Real or fake?"

"Tell me quickly, why did the shadow appear?"

"I heard……"

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

"Heh, hahaha..."

Sitting in the corner of the classroom, listening to the discussions of his classmates, he didn't want to laugh, but he couldn't help but laugh out loud.

"What are you laughing at? Why are you laughing like that?"

Seeing Sid's appearance, Asagi, who was standing next to him, asked him curiously.

Asagi felt that she understood Sid quite well, after all, Sid was one of the few friends she had known for a year.

Although her friend sometimes does strange things, doesn't take magic class seriously, has no interest in socializing, and doesn't act like a nobleman despite being a nobleman, treating her as a tool for information gathering, she usually has a very calm and indifferent expression. This is the first time she has ever seen her unable to hold back her laughter like this, so how could she not be curious?

“I wasn’t laughing at anything… No, there is something, Asagi, did you hear about the Shadow appearing here yesterday?”

Just as he was about to give Aiba Asagi the usual perfunctory answer, he suddenly realized that he didn't need to hide this from her.

Instead, he needed to get the latest news from Asagi Aiba. If Asagi Aiba, the intelligence source, agreed, then the news of the Shadow's appearance would have spread throughout the world, or at least throughout Itogami Island. So he changed his tune in time.

"So that's what you were laughing at. It is funny, but is it really necessary to laugh like that? Wait, how did you know about this? I haven't told you yet!"

A puzzled look appeared on Lan Yuqian's face, but she immediately realized what was going on.

Sid was always the one asking her about things, but she hadn't even told him about this yet, so how did Sid already know?

"That's it... Wait, what did you say? Funny?"

Ignoring the second half of Lan Yu Qiancong's sentence, which was just a tool for others to make unfounded accusations, Sid was more concerned about the absurdity in Lan Yu Qiancong's questioning words. Was what happened yesterday really that funny?

"...Don't you know what you're laughing at?"

"Is it funny that the shadow appeared? Should I laugh?"

The two stared at each other, not understanding what the other was saying. Finally, it was Lan Yuqian who felt that there might be a problem with the information they were receiving from their respective sources, so she brought up a page on the computer.

"We might have slightly different ideas. You should check the news that the management commune released today."

Sid leaned closer to the computer.

"Last night, the world's most wanted criminal, Shadow, broke into the Keystone Gate, causing a massive explosion in an attempt to destroy Itogami Island, but was ultimately repelled by the valiant guards..."

Sid stopped reading after seeing this part; even if you're making things up, you can't do it like this.

"See, isn't that funny?"

After showing the news to Sid, Asagi Aiba naturally spoke up.

"Is the PR person in charge of managing the commune an idiot? They dare to publish this kind of news, and what's even more outrageous is that quite a few people believe it."

Noticing that Sid was still silent, Asagi thought for a moment, then, as if she had suddenly thought of something, continued to speak.

"Sid, I think the information you received wasn't the version where the guards repelled Shadow, but rather the version where Shadow left on his own after being defeated by the Fourth Progenitor, right?"

Narrowing her eyes, Asagi looked at Sid with suspicion.

This look finally cheered Sid up. It was all too familiar; whenever someone suspected him of hiding something, they would look at him like that.

It's highly suspicious that a nobody like him would know about a widely circulated version of the story, yet know something that's practically a secret.

"Yes, my sister told me."

Calmly and skillfully shifting the blame to his sister, Sid began to reflect on himself, wondering if he had been getting too cocky lately.

"Oh…"

Upon hearing Sid's explanation, Asagi Aiba suddenly realized what was going on. She found it amusing that she had just suspected Sid of having a hidden identity, and sighed in amazement.

"I didn't expect you and your sister to be so close, Sid. You even told me something like this. I'm so envious!"

"Hmm... Haha, I do have a pretty good relationship with my sister... I think so."

After thinking about his usual interactions with Claire, Sid couldn't help but ask in a questioning tone.

"Since you know the truth about the Big Bang, how about we watch the video of the battle between Shadow and the Fourth Ancestor together? I had a hard time getting this."

Finally? Are you sure you didn't directly hack into the management commune's computer and then make a copy?

Noticing the smug expression on Asagi's face, Sid muttered something to himself before putting on an eager smile.

He was still very curious about how well the camera footage was taken. If the poor quality of the footage lowered the prestige of those with the power of a Shadow Realm expert, he would smash the camera every time he entered the venue.

"Yes, of course."

"Hmph, wait a minute, little Roseweather is here."

Before anyone knew it, Roseweather had already stood on the podium, but she didn't look well; she seemed listless and weak, which made people a little worried about her mental state.

"Just send it to me directly. You know I'm not comfortable with Roseweather's classes..."

"Students, some of you may already know this, but just in case, we won't be teaching magic this lesson. Instead, we'll be discussing the Magical Intellectual Property Protection Law Notice that Netheril issued this morning."

"I'm very interested! Asagi, let's look at it together later. For now, let's focus on the lesson."

"Uh……"

Seeing Sid become so energetic because of Netheril mentioned by Roseweiser, Asagi Aoba asked in confusion.

"Sid, are you interested in Netheril?"

Shh... Listen carefully.

Upon hearing this, Aiba Asagi roughly confirmed that Sid was very interested in Netheril, and then turned her attention to Roseweather.

After all, whether it's what she outwardly displays or her true profession that she hides, it can be categorized as a type of warlock.

As a warlock, it's impossible to avoid Netheril.

As is widely known, one of the titles of the Netherworld Emperor "Roland Augusta" is "God of Magic," whose full title is "God of All Laws and Truths for Witches."

……

"...

Unless the application is limited to the battlefield, anyone who uses Netheril's official spells without permission will be prosecuted in the Netheril Supreme Court.

If the defendant refuses to appear in court or fails to comply with the legal judgment, Netherland will use special means to protect its legitimate rights and interests.

The above is the notice issued by Nethersale this morning.

Students, do you have any questions?

After reading it in a weak and listless voice, Roseweather let the students discuss it on their own.

The students below were dumbfounded. Of course, even Sid, who knew absolutely nothing about the magical world, clearly understood what this meant.

When Netheril was first established, it published a large amount of upgraded basic magic knowledge for various magic systems, and also included a book titled "How to Replace the Basic Magic Circles in Major Magic".

These upgraded basic magic circles were not only simpler and more efficient than the originals, but also more powerful. They were quickly adopted by major powers and replaced the basic magic circles in large-scale magic.

It wasn't that no one questioned Netheril's kindness, but seeing how others' magic power increased by three points after replacing the basic magic circle, even those who had doubts about Netheril were forced to follow suit and replace their magic circles due to the pressure from others upgrading theirs.

Now they know why Netheril was being so kind; Netheril wanted to rob them—no, even faster than robbery.

Most factions have now replaced their outdated basic magic arrays with the more advanced Netheril upgraded version.

In other words, if Netheril does as he says, the major powers either have to obediently pay up, replace their own magic circles with the original ones, or try to do the same thing as Netheril and modify the basic magic.

The last two are self-explanatory. You think modifying the basic magic circle is simple? You should know that even the largest and most advanced magic is made up of basic magic circles.

Switching back would be suicidal. The Netheril magic circle uses less magic than the original, yet is more powerful. Which faction would be so foolish as to reduce its own magical power by 30% just for money?

No wonder Roseweather looked utterly despondent, and the magic science students below seemed completely dazed, as if they'd been hit in the head.

"Professor Roseweiser, I'd like to know what kind of special method Netheril mentioned, and how serious it is?"

Faced with this situation, the students quickly realized that, as expected of the children of high-ranking officials, their first thought was to renege on their debt.

"Uh... I have a case here. After Netheril issued a notice of protection for magical intellectual property rights, Norse mythology was the first to jump out and say that Netheril's behavior was unreasonable and that they did not accept this law."

Then, within half an hour, Netheril announced the sale of a series of anti-rune, anti-Gandalar, and other anti-Norse magic orbs, and a blueprint for breaking the Norse barrier magic was also leaked.

Next, Norse mythology expressed its agreement with Netheril's magical intellectual property protection law and stated that there was a problem with the barrier, which needed to be replaced urgently. It requested that all major powers not approach the Norse barrier area during this period.

"Ha...hehehe, so what if they have a God of Magic? Using magical knowledge as a tool to make money like this, what kind of followers of the God of Magic are they? Doesn't the God of Magic care about his followers?"

As she continued talking, Roseweather's face grew darker and darker, until finally she sounded like a sour grapes.

That makes sense. It's no wonder people get upset when their hometown gets robbed of gold by another faction.