The Chief of Imperial Administration’s office.
“Agnes, you want to quit your job? Are you out of your mind?”
The Chief of Imperial Administration stared wide-eyed at the other side, as if he couldn’t believe what he heard. In his hand was the resignation letter submitted by Agnes.
Without a moment’s hesitation, Agnes replied.
“Yes.”
“Stop just saying yes and give me understanding. You’ve worked your butt off in the Magic Tower and finally got this role as an Imperial Administrator, and now you want to go back to the Tower? Does that even make sense?”
“I mean it.”
“Why the sudden change? Are you sick?”
But Agnes’s determination had long been set.
She always performed her duties to the best of her ability, but she wasn’t foolish enough to accept being treated as a disposable item. Thus, she decided to retire after this mission to the Palace of Penance.
All her illusions about the role of Imperial Administrator had been shattered.
“This job doesn’t suit me.”
“Is it as hard as the work at the Imperial Magic Tower? It can’t be worse than that!”
The Chief raised his voice, trying to hold onto Agnes.
From his perspective, finding a newcomer as capable as Agnes only happened once in a few years. She was even quiet about it. It felt like losing a golden opportunity if he let her go just like that.
However, Agnes’s expression remained as impassive as ever.
Even though she was merely an administrator here, Agnes was a well-known mage at the Imperial Magic Tower. No matter how tough life was there, she never felt like a disposable item.
The Chief of Administration spoke nervously.
“I always emphasize this. It’s just about doing the mission in the most comfortable way. How many people do you have to deal with at the Tower?”
“I’m fine.”
“I hear a new Inspector is coming in. What if they’re the exact opposite of you? Do you have the confidence to endure that? Once you give up the Tower, you won’t be able to come back here!”
“Yes. It doesn’t matter. I’m leaving now.”
Agnes twirled her black bobbed hair as she swiftly turned to leave.
“Agnes, wait a moment! Agnes!”
Even at the Chief’s shout, her steps did not falter.
Clang—clang—
With a light heart, she started spinning the cube.
Agnes was now headed to the Imperial Magic Tower.
At a restaurant in the bustling district near the Imperial Magic Tower.
“…A letter?”
I narrowed my eyes at the mention of a letter.
It was a natural development. Wasn’t this all started because of a few letters I drunkenly wrote? Could it be that the responses from the other four had finally arrived?
But thankfully, I soon realized my assumption was wrong.
“It seems this letter was sent from the Tower, but they didn’t know your address, so they sent it to the Imperial Palace first. Would you like to read it?”
“Sure.”
“If it was sent at this time, it probably concerns the inauguration ceremony.”
Thank goodness it wasn’t a letter about a proposal. With a relieved mind, I unfolded the two sheets of paper.
First, the first letter.
===== ＊ ===== ＊ ===== ＊ =====
Dear Honored Inspector,
Congratulations on your inauguration as the Inspector of the Imperial Magic Tower this year, and I wish you ongoing wellness. I already look forward to seeing how your blank career will be filled with achievements at the Tower.
I am Nox, the Head of Administration of the Tower.
It’s difficult to convey sincerity and heart through mere letters, isn’t it? I have prepared the inauguration ceremony at the fine restaurant “Dawn’s Rest.” If you visit on time, I will make sure to greet you.
===== ＊ ===== ＊ ===== ＊ =====
‘The Head of the Administration at the Imperial Magic Tower.’
As Solana said, it was indeed about the inauguration ceremony. The head of administration is lower than the Inspector, but still a high position. So I read the last remaining letter.
===== ＊ ===== ＊ ===== ＊ =====
Congratulations on your inauguration as the Inspector.
It’s a happy occasion to have talent come to the Tower, and I believe the magic you utilize will surely bring blessings. I have never heard of a commoner excelling in the Tower, but I have high expectations for you.
I am Widro, the Head of the Theory Faction at the Tower.
The position of Inspector is not easy, but I possess significant information that may help you. I have prepared the inauguration ceremony at the fine restaurant “Breath of Dusk.” Expecting a pleasant meeting.
===== ＊ ===== ＊ ===== ＊ =====
After reading both letters, I closed my eyes.
Two heads of administration, an inauguration ceremony happening at the same time but at two different places… All signs pointed to one thing.
“…What is this?”
This was definitely a faction.
There were two factions split within the Imperial Magic Tower.
The intent to ensure that I, as the new Inspector, can only visit one side on my first day is obvious without needing to ask. They want to see which head of administration I will ally with from the start.
So, simply put…
─Whom will you side with?
That’s the question they’re asking. Just a couple of chicks trying to prod me.
My gaze shifted to Solana across the table.
Like a cheerful sunflower looking this way. She seemed curious about the letters and my reactions, staring at me with bright eyes.
“Solana, do you know about Nox, the Head of the Administration at the Imperial Magic Tower?”
“I do. He’s the leader of the Practical Faction.”
“What about Widro?”
“I know him. He’s the leader of the opposing Theory Faction.”
Solana’s brows furrowed.
“…Don’t tell me both letters were from those two?”
“Exactly.”
“Oh dear, I suppose that wasn’t good news.”
She put her little palm to her forehead.
“Actually, the Imperial Magic Tower doesn’t only have issues with outsiders. There’s fierce internal rivalry between the two factions as well. It’s not widely known, but those in the know are aware.”
“Rivalry between the two factions?”
“Yes. It’s a conflict over theory versus practicality… that kind of thing.”
“I heard that magic scrolls have advanced quite a bit.”
“That’s right. With the scrolls’ capabilities exceeding expectations, many existing spells are now being questioned.”
Solana’s explanation was simple and clear.
As scrolls developed beyond normal levels, there was a sharp divide within the Imperial Magic Tower between those who blindly trusted the scrolls and those who still adhered to traditional methods.
‘To pick one of the two? What a joke.’
Still, through her description, it became clear there were factions and that they were shoving me into this conflict.
I noticed a hint of concern in Solana’s expression.
“Did they perhaps make any unreasonable requests of you?”
“Don’t worry about that part.”
I had no intention of taking sides.
And I definitely didn’t plan on being swung around as they wished.
What bothered me more was something else.
“How is my background and experience currently known?”
“Hmm… It’s been erased, so you don’t really have any experience. Your status is likely listed as a commoner.”
“Aha.”
Of course. That made sense.
The thing I was most concerned about was their attitude.
I re-read the key sentences from the letters.
─I already look forward to seeing how your blank career will be filled with achievements.
‘Let’s see what a non-entity like you can achieve.’
─I have never heard of a commoner excelling in the Tower, but I have high expectations for you.
‘What kind of commoner steps into the Tower? If you can, prove it.’
The meaning was crystal clear, and I couldn’t help but burst into laughter.
Hah—
I exhaled the smell of sunweed deeply.
“This is downright being treated like a parachute.”
Commoner status, no experience at all.
To the seasoned heads of administration who have rolled around in the Imperial Magic Tower, what a delicious prey I must be. It would be so convenient and nice to chew me up and use me as a puppet Inspector.
“…”
That was when I felt Solana’s intense gaze fixed on me.
She was propping her chin with both hands on the table, looking at me. From this angle, she resembled a sunflower with a flower cup.
I, too, remained silent, chewing on the sunweed while meeting her gaze. We had moments like this before in the past—pausing to silently look at each other.
It was Solana who first broke the silence.
“By the way, sensei…”
“Yeah?”
“Just the two of us spending time like this, doesn’t it feel like that?”
“Definitely.”
Immediately, we both said it at the same time.
“It feels like a class.”
“It feels like a date.”
Then Solana’s eyes widened in disbelief.
“…A class? What am I learning right now?”
“An elite should be able to learn from anything they see.”
“Enough. Anyway, this isn’t a class.”
Solana waved her hand lightly as if conceding.
“Regardless, you seem quite happy right now. What’s it about? Can I hear it too?”
“It’s nothing special.”
I crunched the sunweed.
Pop went the sensation as it burst in my mouth. Nice.
“Just asking for a little discipline, you know.”
It wasn’t a troublesome situation at all.
Just a bit annoying at most.
