EP.238 Uninvited Guest (6)
The headmaster of Apuria, Aaron van Tailent.
Aaron, who has stepped into his senior years, has not had a smooth life. There have been numerous crises, and as someone from a noble family, he has often become entangled in power struggles.
It may be hard to say he’s experienced everything life has to offer, but he certainly hasn’t lived a completely ordinary life.
Whenever a minor incident occurs, he simply pulls a few strands of his hair and laughs it off. Although there are times he can’t just laugh it off, Aaron has generally found it easy to accept whatever incidents come his way.
After all, that’s life.
Looking back, many of the critical incidents he had panicked over in his youth turn out to be quite trivial.
“So, one must always remain calm.”
That is the truth of life that Aaron continually repeats to himself.
“What the hell is this…?”
And now.
“Have you lost your mind?”
Aaron loses his composure.
His eyes widen in shock.
BAM!
The young female professor’s shoes strike the guest’s shins. The sound is so loud that the whispering students fall silent all at once.
“Urgh!”
The guest lets out a scream.
As the guest dramatically collapses on the floor, Aaron van Tailent senses a life-altering crisis.
The professor just kicked the guest in the shins.
Even a simple guest could cause a massive problem, but Aaron knows the identity of the guest who is now babbling nonsense about how she’s indeed a spicy lady.
‘M-Mage of Ancient Dragons…!’
An individual revered by all mages.
Someone who has lived for tens of thousands of years, a being like a god breathing in this land stands before him now.
“It’s been a while, Aaron!”
“You seem to get more distinguished every day! Looking refreshing!”
About an hour ago, the Mage of Ancient Dragons burst into his office, casually commenting on his hair.
“I arrived a few days early to the royal capital for the festival and found I had nothing in particular to do. So I thought I’d drop by to see the face of the extraordinary genius causing a commotion in the world, and also to check on your hair.”
He demanded a tour of Apuria from Aaron. With a racing heart, Aaron accepted the offer.
It’s a overwhelming but glorious opportunity.
The god of mages shows interest in the academy he founded. While Aaron feels flustered, he’s also overjoyed at the notion.
‘What if the Mage of Ancient Dragons imparts some wisdom to the students…!’
Just imagining the awe on the students’ faces brought tears to Aaron’s eyes.
That was an hour ago.
“Wow, what is actually happening?”
Now, here he is.
“What kind of lunatic is this, Headmaster?”
Rania asks, pointing at the fallen Mage of Ancient Dragons with visible annoyance on her face as she sweeps her bangs back.
“H-Huh…”
Aaron feels breathless as he reaches for his hair. But there are no strands left to grasp; his forehead is completely smooth.
Who is that?
The god of mages.
The revered Mage of Ancient Dragons.
That’s the answer he should provide, but he can’t bring himself to say it. The curious gazes of the seated students catch his eye.
‘…The children admire the Mage of Ancient Dragons.’
Aaron is an educator and the head of the academy.
That means he has an obligation to protect the children.
‘The innocence of the children must be preserved.’
Clinging to his fading senses, Aaron slowly… very slowly opened his mouth.
“A great mage who has visited us from abroad, you see. Um, very great.”
Rania’s eyebrows twitch at the word “great.”
“………”
With a skeptical expression, Rania steps back, and the fallen Mage of Ancient Dragons slowly rises.
“That was a devastating blow, lady.”
He winks and points at Rania with his index finger. Rania’s expression contorts with annoyance.
BAM!
Finally, Rania’s fist strikes the Mage of Ancient Dragons’ abdomen.
“Cough!”
The Mage, struck by Rania’s punch, crumples down the hallway beyond the classroom door while the students watch in bewilderment.
Aaron feels himself becoming lightheaded.
2.
Naturally, a mage who has lived for thousands of years wouldn’t fall due to such an attack. I pulled up the acting Mage of Ancient Dragons by the collar.
“Let’s go somewhere less crowded.”
“Oh, if it’s a date invitation, I’m all for it…”
“Do you really want to die?”
CRACK, my fingers made a loud noise. The Mage of Ancient Dragons chuckled and turned to the headmaster, Aaron.
“I have my own matters to discuss with this lady, so I’ll be taking my leave. Thanks for the guidance, Aaron.”
“Uh, uh, uh…”
“Don’t be flustered. Treasure those remaining strands of hair.”
The Mage of Ancient Dragons dusted off the particles clinging to his clothes. His suit had now transformed into an ancient dragon’s robe.
Swoosh.
His bluish hair cascaded down.
Returning to the form I knew, the Mage of Ancient Dragons reached into the air. Grasping nothing but air, he held a gnarled staff in his hands.
THUD!
The staff thumped the ground.
Instantly, dozens of circuits unfurled in the air, and platinum starlight glowed. The Mage of Ancient Dragons addressed the starlight.
“Open the door, my friend.”
【The transaction has been established.】
The price paid is nothing.
Yet the star opened a shimmering platinum door before the Mage of Ancient Dragons.
“Let’s enter.”
Even after seeing it several times, I struggled to comprehend the scene.
I felt a sense of discomfort as I followed the Mage of Ancient Dragons through the door.
WHOOSH!
When the starlight enveloping my body faded, I found myself in a vast garden. A tea table sat in the garden.
A place located at the intersection of the otherworld and the physical realm.
This special space, accessible only by the Mage of Ancient Dragons, coexisted with characteristics of both realms. The Mage of Ancient Dragons walked through the sunlit garden and pulled out a chair.
“Ladies first.”
Is this guy really insane?
I frowned and replied sarcastically.
“Since you’re old, wouldn’t it be better for you to sit first?”
“Ha ha. I’ve lived for thousands of years, but I still carry the body and spirit of a young one. I’d appreciate it if you refrained from calling me an old man.”
He laughed heartily, narrowing his eyes.
“And I’d wager even an old man waiting for his last day would have a healthier body than you.”
His golden eyes shone.
“Isn’t that right? Raniel van Trias.”
The Mage of Ancient Dragons laughed.
“A sorcerer who broke the taboos.”
3.
The Mage of Ancient Dragons I remember was playful, yet serious and deserving of respect.
“Rosel has raised an excellent disciple.”
I had encountered the Mage of Ancient Dragons twice.
Once during his tenure as the future Master of the Tower, and another after the Black Dragon subjugation when I truly understood the Mage of Ancient Dragons.
“You succeeded in subjugating the calamity that had ruled this land for centuries. That is an achievement worthy of praise. I salute you.”
He stepped down from his throne and knelt before Kyle and me. The sight of the greatest mage kneeling and bowing to us is an unforgettable memory.
“Dragons and those who worship them are all my kin. It should be my role to save those who have strayed from the correct path, yet I had failed to do so.”
He spoke to us, still bowing his head.
“Praise be to the great heroes who achieved this deed.”
Afterward, he entertained us with some banter and held a feast. And until that point, I hadn’t found anything strange about the Mage of Ancient Dragons.
Perhaps that’s why.
“Why did you do that, knowing all too well?”
“What do you mean?”
“You know my identity. Why were you just acting like some sugary lady with catchy phrases earlier…”
“Heh heh, you’re rather ignorant, Ashen Mage.”
I never imagined it at all.
“The past doesn’t matter. What matters is the present. The present version of you is a beautiful lady. Among the women I have seen over the millennia, you’d certainly be in the top five…”
“Have you truly lost your mind?”
“I am always clear-headed. I live by not being bound by the past or common sense, but focusing solely on the present.”
I never would have imagined the Mage of Ancient Dragons to be so lighthearted and woman-crazy in old age.
“It means I simply endeavor to live young.”
“Living your age fully while accepting it is more beneficial to the world.”
“Tch, I have no retort for that.”
The Mage of Ancient Dragons chuckled bitterly.
I sighed and asked him a question.
“You recognize me after all.”
“How could I not?”
“…People related to the star often don’t recognize me. They whisper I’m not the star.”
“They are slaves to the star, but I am a close friend of the star.”
He sipped tea.
“I do not have a vertical relationship with the star, but a horizontal one. Sometimes, it’s best to take one’s friend’s remarks with a grain of salt.”
He squinted his eyes.
His golden eyes shone quietly.
“However, some words cannot be ignored.”
THUMP, he tapped the table.
“I’ve heard your lifespan has been placed on the balance. Ashen Mage. It’s not just once or twice.”
“It was necessary.”
“That’s a taboo, isn’t it?”
Taboo, taboo.
A smile crept across my lips.
“I couldn’t face those who broke the rules and defy destiny with bare hands, so I resorted to such actions. I had to use everything I had at my disposal.”
“Do you not know why it’s called a taboo?”
“I did it knowing full well.”
That was my only answer.
“The price of that must also rest solely on my shoulders. If you’re not willing to bear it with me, then don’t interfere. Honestly, it’s quite annoying.”
I narrowed my eyes.
“Your words do not concern me since you offer no price in exchange.”
“You are quite similar.”
The Mage of Ancient Dragons sighed.
“The Grand Magus who broke the taboos centuries ago gave me the same response.”
“You’re talking about Cardi, right?”
“Yes. Cardi van Armiel. The only mage ever capable of challenging me.”
He caressed around his eyes.
A scar marred the skin below his left eye. After a long moment of silence, the Mage of Ancient Dragons exhaled.
“I did not come to say such things. Truth be told, this is more of an obligatory question.”
The Mage of Ancient Dragons smiled bitterly.
“If there are those who have broken the taboos, I have an obligation to check their mental state. Fortunately, it seems your mind is quite sound.”
Clean, correct, and upright as always.
The Mage murmured as he looked at me.
“Someone like you is rare. A beautiful human, in fact. Naturally, it implies you’re a beauty as well!”
He said, wearing a playful expression.
“That’s why, during this night of mages, I plan to make a slight advance towards you.”
…Advance?
“Not as Raniel van Trias, but as Rania van Trias, I want you to settle down.”
I blinked, not understanding the meaning of his words.
“What do you mean by that…?”
“You have a title given to you by me, don’t you?”
I did indeed. The title of being a mage acknowledged by the Mage of Ancient Dragons and the Wise One.
“I plan to bestow a similar title upon you again.”
“…If you bestow it again?”
“The Wise One. And I’ll reveal another title on the night of the mages. You can look forward to it.”
Winking, he watched me.
Just looking at his face made my stomach churn, and I felt nauseous.
“Oh no, that’s quite a bruise.”
“Stop messing around. Seriously.”
“I find your boldness quite appealing. There will be a ball during the night of mages. How about you and I…?”
I extended my finger.
My finger was pointing at the Mage’s right eye.
“Do you want to etch another scar on your right eye?”
“Oh!”
The Mage of Ancient Dragons clicked his tongue.
He made a show of moving back slightly as if to express his disgust. It seemed to be an effective threat.
“No?”
But that was momentary.
The Mage of Ancient Dragons, stroking his chin, seemed to think of something and then brightly gazed at me.
“I’d actually prefer that.”
Is he truly insane?
An uninvited guest, indeed a real intruder.
