EP.239 Night of the Mages (1)
“Then let’s meet on the day of the festival.”
After the uninvited guest left, I sat on a bench in the Apuria garden to sort out my thoughts.
“Something feels off.”
It was the sense of discomfort.
‘…Is that really the reason they came to see me?’
I had broken a taboo, and they believed they had an obligation to check on my mental state.
The Mage of Ancient Dragons said that.
To me, that part felt somewhat unconvincing.
Of course, it might be important for the Mage of Ancient Dragons. But if it was truly significant…
‘They should have come sooner.’
The Mage of Ancient Dragons should have arrived much earlier. It’s far too late to check now.
It had already been a few years since I first sacrificed my lifespan. Meeting the Demon Lord and fleeing, and the transaction of my life known as taboo that ruined my soul and body was something that had occurred quite some time ago.
Their intention to grant me the title of sage.
Their expectation of the Night of the Mages.
Everything felt like superficial reasons.
“Something is being hidden.”
They seem to be concealing something important. Cloaked in playfulness and lightness, they are deliberately hiding their true purpose.
“Don’t be fooled, you old fool.”
“A slippery lizard, huh?”
A mage who has lived for thousands of years. Not someone whose true intentions can be easily read.
“No, leaving that aside.”
But what confuses me the most is…
‘That seemed genuine.’
From the Mage of Ancient Dragons’ advances towards me, there was a strong feeling of sincerity. It wasn’t just a frivolous act.
“No?”
“That’s actually good.”
Separate from hiding their purpose, I found it hard to believe that the voice dripping with intense desire was a lie.
“What on earth is going on…?”
The more I think about it, the harder it is to guess the truth about this person. I suppose I’ll need to watch a little longer.
“Professor Rania?”
As I was sorting through my thoughts, someone called out to me. I looked up to see a student standing there.
With pure white hair and green eyes.
Seeing the resemblance to someone else made me briefly shudder. Even though I had adapted, I was still often surprised when I ran into her.
“Chloe? What’s up?”
“You said to come to the professor’s office after class, but I couldn’t find you, so I searched around a bit.”
“Oh right.”
I had completely forgotten that.
“Sorry. An uninvited guest crashed in.”
“Ah, that person from the classroom earlier…?”
“Yeah. That.”
Chloe smiled awkwardly, looking a bit uncomfortable.
“The rumors have already made the rounds among us. They say that to convey your feelings to the professor, you have to withstand that punch twice or something…”
“What?”
I blinked in confusion. Why do they have to endure my punch to express their feelings?
“Why on earth…?”
As I tilted my head in puzzlement, I suddenly noticed the envelope Chloe was holding. It seemed to have a strangely sweet aroma coming from it.
“Oh.”
Realizing I was staring, Chloe shyly smiled and sat down beside me.
“I stopped by a café on the way.”
The paper bag Chloe handed me was filled with freshly baked bread.
“Want to try some?”
Seeing Chloe offer me the bread, I wiped my eyes.
‘Someone like her…’
The Mage of Ancient Dragons would be interested?
More than what they showed me…?
“Chloe.”
“Yes?”
“Be careful of the guy with the messy blue hair, slit-like eyes, and a voice that sounds like he’s slathered in butter whispering sweet nothings.”
Should I post a warning sign or something?
Thinking that, I let out a long sigh.
‘The Grand Magus who’s lived more than a thousand years is a lecher.’
The god of mages who’s lived for tens of thousands of years is just a lecherous little lizard who chases after young girls.
‘Is it the pursuit of magical extremes that drives everyone insane? Their personalities are all messed up…?’
The future of mages looked dark.
“Seems like I’m the only sane one here.”
“…Huh?”
“Hmm? Why?”
“Oh, it’s nothing.”
—
2.
The Night of the Mages had begun.
The streets were filled with various stalls for the mages, and the people passing through were magicians who had come from far and wide.
“White Tower’s specialty, White Night Magic Stones for sale! Special limited price just for the Night of the Mages…”
“Robes engraved with the insignia of the Black Tower…”
“This is the new product from the Blue Tower! Amplifying research stones…”
The stalls lining the streets each bore their symbolic colors, meaning merchants had received their goods from each tower.
Amid the festive atmosphere, this wasn’t a festival just for mages.
Even those who lived a daily life distant from magic found opportunities to experience ‘magic’ during the Night of the Mages.
Six districts divided around the Royal Capital.
Each colored tower decorated its district in its own way. Some held exhibitions, while others organized light magical duels, providing various spectacles for the people.
The number of people who came to join in and enjoyed the festivities within each district quietly revealed a competition of pride among the tower masters.
“And now, from my White Tower!”
Perhaps that’s why.
“A fair for mages! And for those who know nothing of magic, a dazzling and perfectly splendid elemental spell performance that leaves you mesmerized the moment you see it…!”
This mage from the White Tower was passionately explaining the event hosted by the White Tower to a girl standing in front of her.
“Most importantly, do you know who will perform?”
“It’s not that interesting to me.”
“Come on, just listen a bit…!”
The master of the White Tower, Selly Devela, pleaded toward the disinterested girl, Rania van Trias.
“Do you know who will perform the elemental spell show? It’s me! The one who has mastered ice and fire magic, Selly Devela! Aren’t you curious about the stage of ‘Between Fire and Ice’?”
“Yes. Not interested.”
“No way…!”
Even though it was past the time when her pride should have been hurt, Selly was trembling her tightly clenched fist in a humiliation akin to that of a merchant.
‘Please, just come over…!’
Selly had her own reasons for this.
She felt a sense of duty to ensure that the girl, Rania van Trias, stepped into the White Tower’s district.
This was an opportunity.
Selly had heard rumors of this girl dueling with the master of the Blue Tower. Regardless of the duel’s outcome, this girl would attract the attention of many mages.
‘So, I must show it.’
Selly Devela needed to demonstrate that she was close with Rania van Trias, that they could hold hands and visit the White Tower’s district together.
A girl who attracts attention with talent or looks.
If she could draw this potential protagonist of the Magic Academy Conference into her district, it would be close to a victory in the pride competition between the towers.
Even though winning would earn no tangible reward…!
‘But it would feel good!’
That was enough.
“Do you have any more to say?”
However, Rania remained indifferent, looking at Selly without any intention of giving in. Eventually, Selly sighed in defeat.
“Can’t you just come by?”
“Why are you so desperate to invite me?”
“I want to be the main character too. The most recognized tower! I’ve always been overshadowed by the Ashen Tower, it wouldn’t hurt to have just once…!”
Rania’s eyes narrowed.
‘At your age, wanting to be the main character?’
A certain lecherous little lizard popped into Rania’s mind. With her eyes half-opened, she asked.
“Are you losing your mind?”
“Is that too harsh?!”
Selly slammed her palm onto the table in frustration.
But soon after, the dejected Selly let out a long sigh.
“Fine. I was foolish to expect anything. Forget it. I won’t accept you even if you came…”
“I’m not interested in the magic performance, but I am curious about the fair. What’s happening there?”
“….”
Selly lifted her head slightly.
“Seriously, you’re interested?”
“The White Tower’s fair has always had a lot to see. The combination circuits made from two elements have been uniquely fascinating since old times.”
During her time as the next master of the tower, Rania had often visited the circuit exhibitions hosted by the White Tower.
‘Even if practicality comes second, the method is always new.’
It left her with enjoyable memories of seeing circuits assembled in novel ways.
“Are you really coming?”
“I was already planning to visit the fair.”
“Shall I guide you?”
“Aren’t you busy?”
Selly, re-energized, slammed her hand on the table and stood up.
“I may be busy, but! I’ll specially guide you. Shall we go now?”
She resembled a street vendor in that moment.
—
3.
The White Tower mainly deals with elemental spells.
From ancient times, the White Tower has pursued the ultimate in elemental spells, and all the events they host are related solely to elemental magic.
‘There’s a foundation to it.’
Elemental magic truly is fundamental.
Since wizards (Wizard) are foundational, it naturally follows that the spells they handle are fundamental as well.
“Follow me this way. Here is the pride of the White Tower, the development process of elemental spells.”
With a lively voice, the master of the White Tower led the way. Although the mages enjoying the fair kept glancing at us, the master of the White Tower seemed unconcerned by their looks.
‘Or is she actually enjoying the attention…?’
I decided to ignore it.
While letting the master of the White Tower’s explanation wash over me, I looked at the frames lined against the wall.
The luxurious frames contained circuits.
The hallway was filled with framed circuits that had been refined by the White Tower. From basic spells to the highest-level spells.
And most of the frames bore the name “Selly Devela.”
‘…She may be a bit odd.’
But her skill in developing spells is undeniable.
That’s why she remains as the head of this tower.
“This is my pride, a tri-elemental compound magic! ‘Dancing Snowflakes!’”
The master of the White Tower pointed at a gigantic frame.
The frame, nearly my height, depicted a large circuit…
“Fire, water, and… wind?”
“Correct.”
“If you put those together, won’t it just flutter around? It won’t have any power, just… really float around without anything else?”
“The direction of that flutter is meticulously set.”
…They set a direction?
Upon closer inspection of the circuit, it really was the case.
The circuit was unnecessarily large, and there seemed to be an unusual number of lines; it turned out most of the strokes were used to control the direction of the spell.
‘Using this, you’ll just get a truly flashy spell.’
It’s a spell with not a hint of practicality.
“It’s a festival spell. It’s really beautiful.”
“That… makes sense.”
“There’s no rule saying elemental spells must only be used for attacks. We seek various directions. A spell like this should be expected to be there, right?”
The master of the White Tower looked at the frame and smiled.
I slowly nodded my head.
“That’s true.”
This might be developing in the direction of pursuing art. I don’t quite understand it, but since she isn’t someone who forces beliefs like the Ivory Tower, I decided to respect her.
‘In a sense, it’s quite remarkable.’
Though our directions differ, one could say it’s a circuit that has reached its extreme in a way.
Just as I was looking at the circuit…
“Always so flashy yet utterly devoid of substance, aren’t you, White?”
A voice came from somewhere.
With a tone dripping with sarcasm, the master of the White Tower furrowed her brow.
“What did you say?”
“Did I say something wrong?”
Where my gaze landed stood an old mage. His face looked oddly familiar.
‘Where have I seen him before?’
I had definitely seen him somewhere.
It seems he wasn’t worth remembering, as his name didn’t easily come to mind.
“Magic is a practical study. What a waste of time creating such circuits instead of pursuing practicality… tch.”
He clicked his tongue briefly.
“The focus on what’s visible hasn’t changed. Have you not enough flesh to back it up?”
“Are you out of your mind?”
The master of the White Tower growled.
“This is the district of the White Tower. How dare you spout that nonsense in my domain, right in front of me…”
“Oh right.”
And just then, the old man’s name popped into my mind.
“Brick Geobahn.”
I clapped my hands.
Brick Geobahn. Master of the Blue Tower.
And…
“That old man bending over while trying to show off.”
“…Whaaat?”
The master of the Blue Tower glared at me, while the master of the White Tower looked at me with wide, surprised eyes.
“What? What’s wrong?”
I tilted my head in confusion.
“Isn’t that the truth?”
