Chapter 233
Chapter 233
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 233
Chapter Title: Langritsa Magic Tower
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The boisterous Snowfield Magic Tower master, Lancel, later asked Yuda to wait just one day. It didn't matter one way or the other. Right now, time was the only thing he had to spare. He gladly agreed to wait.
Thanks to that, he got to enjoy the cutting-edge wonders of Langritsa Magic Tower for a full day as a guest. Surprisingly, these folks weren't solely obsessed with magic research—they poured massive resources into employee welfare, too.
It was a real shame that men and women were separated, but there were grand bathhouses available. There was also a dining hall where you could grab free snacks and simple bites anytime, as much as you wanted. And during breakfast, lunch, and dinner hours, a massive hall filled with a buffet of gourmet delicacies from land and sea.
It was so delicious it brought tears to his eyes, and the fact that he could eat his fill made him blissfully happy.
Yuda ate leisurely, stuffing himself to the brim without a care for prying eyes. No one said a word, no matter how much he devoured. If anything, they watched with warm approval. Arhil, worn out from eating, sipped a simple fruit drink while happily patting her bulging belly.
It wasn't just food, either.
As the gathering place of Calypso's tallest and most elite mages, it brimmed with all sorts of mystical marvels. He wandered the tower like a sightseeing noble, losing track of time as he explored and tried everything. He'd hustled around so much that despite a big lunch, by dinner he was starving again and headed back to the buffet. He piled fresh sashimi, steak, fried foods, and rice onto a white plate. The ever-changing menu from lunch brought pure joy in picking and choosing. Dishes you'd have to travel to specific kingdoms for were all right here.
If you wanted, there was ramen on one side, chicken on another. Pizzas loaded with toppings, and heaps of chocolate desserts. He claimed a seat at one of the many tables.
"You sure pack it away."
Arhil, still bloated from lunch, nursed a banana milk with a queasy look. Her plate held just a few fruits. Yuda speared a chunk of meat with his fork. Juices oozed out temptingly.
"It's delicious. When else am I gonna eat like this?"
He chewed happily, blissed out, and Arhil let out a light chuckle. No joke—it was seriously good. He was tempted to swipe everything here. He could stash it in his <Bag> and keep it fresh, pulling it out whenever. But with eyes everywhere, vanishing whole plates would raise eyebrows and cause headaches. Besides, stealing was wrong on principle.
'Hmm. Feels like I've got a new dream.'
Not "like"—he'd just gained one. Sure, once he gathered all the fragments, he'd leave this world for his original one. But if he settled somewhere temporarily... he'd buy a massive estate like this magic tower's buffet hall, hire a ton of chefs, and feast on new cuisines daily. That'd cost a fortune, though. Sourcing ingredients from across the world wouldn't be cheap. Only something like Calypso's Langritsa Magic Tower could pull this off.
'Who knows if I'll ever come back—might as well stuff myself now.'
With grim determination, Yuda worked his fork furiously. Sometimes he was grateful for this insane metabolism. He could gorge without consequence. As he stacked empty plates in satisfaction, someone approached their table.
"Mind if I sit here?"
Was the place full? No—plenty of empty tables, he'd noticed while fetching food. Lots of open seats. He just scanned around fork in hand, ignoring the guy asking politely. Arhil smiled first and waved him over.
"Of course. Have a seat."
"Thank you, priestess."
The mage bowed politely, eyes closed. Yuda chewed a mouthful of meat he'd forked up, watching him sit. Male. He stayed wary.
"......"
Unrealistically blue hair and eyes. Beard hiding his jawline, but he had a handsome middle-aged vibe. Seemed affable enough. Broad shoulders, sturdy build—you could mistake him for a knight.
'Knight?'
It reminded him of the bandit-huge tower masters. If they were mages who'd maxed strength and stamina, this one felt like he'd balanced them just enough for gear.
"Oh dear, lots of meat and fried stuff. Not great for your health. Good thing I brought some salad—try it with this."
He grinned, offering a bowl. Crisp cabbage salad, no mayo-like dressing.
"Uh, thanks."
No need, really, but it cut the greasy aftertaste. He stabbed the salad with his meat-juiced fork and popped it in. Fresh crunch cleared his palate. Now he could eat more. Eight plates down. Staff cleared empties automatically. Finally stuffed to the gills, Yuda leaned back and exhaled deeply. Throat packed tight.
'Satisfying meal.'
He could live here forever. With food this good, he'd even take a grunt job. Gazing contentedly at his belly, the quiet diner beside him stood, fetched two drinks, and returned.
"Here—helps digestion."
Sweet aroma stirred nostalgia. Thick brew. One sip, and he knew: the persimmon punch from the buffet, next to the sweet rice drink. He'd only sampled it then—preferred the rice punch.
"It's called persimmon punch—famous from Baekje. Perfect after greasy food."
Seeing Yuda stare, he explained. Unneeded, but Yuda nodded and sipped. Long time no see, but spot-on: sweet and cinnamony. He smacked his lips.
"You seem done with mains—care for dessert and a quick chat?"
"Not hawking wares, are you?"
He chuckled.
"Not wares—a person, maybe?"
"?"
Easy to mishear. He held up a finger—wait—then returned with desserts: cakes, tarts, fruits in empty bowls, set in the center.
"Dig in."
No refusing freebies. Said he was stuffed, but more appeared, and space opened up. He sliced a chocolate cake bite. Sweetness flooded sweetly. If persimmon punch slapped your cheek demanding "Sweet, right?", chocolate cake caressed softly, meltingly whispering the same. Belly full sparking dumb metaphors.
"First, allow me to introduce myself. Lime de Tritan. Pleased to meet you. Thing is, I got an offer from the tower master, so here I am at Langritsa."
"Tower master?"
"Yes—Lancel de Limonier. Heard he needed a high mage skilled in ice magic. You're Yuda Arsher, right?"
"That's me, but...?"
"Spot on, then. He asked if I'd fancy earning coin and resting on a trip. I nearly refused over the silver badge, but then—Silver Sword owner. Ha! Chance to meet one and travel together? I raced here. Diet's rough, worrying... but fine. Hire me, and I'll whip up balanced feasts like this daily. Plus, I have this."
He swiped at empty air.
"A small sub-space pocket—huge for travel. Magic, cooking, health knowledge—to take me along? You'll never regret it. What say you, employer?"
Like a snappy ad. Gestures, eyes, face, voice—solid. Thought he was just lonely eater; turns out, agenda.
"What do you say?"
He pressed for an answer.
* * *
──────────────────────
Tip 23. Mages each specialize in an attribute. But personality doesn't match it proportionally.
Fire attribute doesn't mean fiery temper; ice doesn't mean cold demeanor. They're people, after all.
Tip 24. Mages with high strength aren't trash builds. The meta is strength magic! (Don't buy it.)
──────────────────────
========== Afterword ==========
1) Alas!
Not a cute, pretty mage—but one with a chin beard!
...Truth is, made him a guy so you won't grow too attached to this recruit. He's... a fine mage.
After the journey with Yuda, back at Snowfield Tower, he might confess to his crush. Probably.
2) Whoa, just about to post—and earthquake hits. Chills;(around 02:35)