Hearing (1)
The night's darkness shattered like ice on the verge of melting, and in its cracks seeped the pale blue light of early dawn.
Chairman Adrienne let out a faint sigh.
"Aigoo..."
On her desk lay Deculein's paper—and the consensus document from the 'four pillars' of the magical world.
Pouting her lips, she picked up the document.
The pillars upholding the balance of the magical world—Verhert, the Floating Island, the Volcano, and the Round Table—have, after an exceedingly long era since 'Demakan,' at last reached a joint consensus.
(For reference, the Volcano is the honorific for Ashes Heap. No matter how much one mocks it as Heap-Heap, the fact remains that it holds one pillar of the magical world, so in events like this, it is acknowledged as one of the voters.)
······We respect and revere the magical progress shown by 'Adrienne Sezelian,' her pursuit of truth, the perseverance of self-mastery in seeking the Way. The arduous diligence that achieved such magical feats······
Skimming over the florid rhetoric, she read the final paragraph.
The magical world's collective conclusion on the mage Adrienne.
We hereby recognize Adrienne Sezelian as the present 'Second Archmage,' transcending this magical world and eternally immortal in continental history. The investiture ceremony shall be held in the inner sea come spring······
Eternal rank Archmage.
The second Archmage to succeed Demakan.
The consensus announcing her ascension to the pinnacle.
"······Adrienne the Second?"
Adrienne called to the dog by her side.
—Woof! Woof!
She scooped up the one who came running and stroked its fluffy back, a small smile playing on her lips.
"So······ I'm no longer officially 'human' now."
Adrienne had earned recognition not just from Verhert and the Floating Island, but even from utterly insular groups like Ashes Heap and the Round Table—purely through her magical talent, achievements, and power, drawing forth the 'joint consensus of the entire magical world.'
An eternal Archmage was such a fearsome existence.
"People will come soon, right? They'll bombard me with questions."
—Woof! Woof!
"······Then I suppose I should leave soon. Can't stay long."
The mundane world had been so endlessly amusing.
Deculein. Julie. Dikailen. Ruina. Gilteon. Cielia. Cynthia. Idnik. Rohakan. Zeit. Ihelm. Kreto. Ganesha, and so on······
Countless names and faces that had once delighted her rose in her mind.
"······."
Adrienne approached the window frame and gazed down at the tower grounds.
It wasn't even 6 a.m. yet, but reporters had already swarmed.
"······Alright then!"
She flashed a bright smile at Adrienne the Second in her arms.
"Wait here—I'll be back~!"
—Woof! Woof!
The pup replied innocently.
Early morning.
Countless people from across the continent gathered at the tower. Not just reporters from every media outlet, but university students, mages, and knights from the Imperial University—all watched the spectacle, some nearby, some from afar.
—Is the chairman's term ending this year?!
"Yes! Probably wrapping up in winter or spring, with a handover!"
The sole target captured by countless cameras was Chairman Adrienne. Now officially at Eternal rank, she was buried in the throng of people.
Of course, everyone on the continent had anticipated this, but witnessing the historic moment with one's own eyes was a rare experience.
—I understand there are two candidates for next chairman. What about the process?
"What else? It's just proceeding! We'll pick the more suitable one!"
Soda-rank Ifrin watched the scene from the tower's third floor. The view was clearer inside than the already-packed streets outside, and the interview came through sharp and clear.
—Ihelm the mage's recent paper, "A Quiet Exploration of Auxiliary Magic and the Path to Its Reform," has been the talk of the magical world. Will such personal achievements factor into selecting the next candidate?
"Oh! Yes, of course! I read Ihelm's paper too! It was amazing!"
'I read that paper too—', 'It was amazing—'.
Reporters scribbled furiously at her every word.
—Professor Deculein's paper announcement is imminent too!
"Ah~ Yes! That one?! Professor Deculein already submitted it!"
"······!"
At that moment, Ifrin's ears perked up. She crumpled her empty paper cup.
"And the author registration is confirmed too!"
Adrienne said this while holding back a laugh. In her mind, she'd planted a 'foreshadowing.' The foreshadowing of 'author registration confirmed.'
The reporters shouted back loudly.
—How was it?
"Hmm! I haven't fully understood it yet! The volume is enormous! It's all theory!"
—Not impressed, then······.
"No! Absolutely not! Ihelm produced solid results, while Deculein······."
Adrienne paused as if choosing her words, then nodded.
"Ah, tremendous potential! It's just theory now, but if that theory is real! If magic can truly be applied!"
Click-click—! Click-click—!
The relentless camera flashes. To Ifrin, who hung on Adrienne's every word, the barrage was nothing but noise.
"If it really works out!"
Adrienne raised her hand like a blade.
In that instant, time seemed to freeze.
Thousands upon thousands of eyes, noses, mouths. Everyone in the space focused on her.
Savoring the multitude of gazes, Adrienne declared.
"Professor Deculein will probably become an 'Elder'?"
"?!"
Elder.
Ifrin’s eyes widened at the word.
The tower mages watching the interview reacted similarly.
—Elder, as in an elder of the magical world?
"Yes!"
In the magical world, 'Elder' didn't just mean Verhert—it was a metaphor for the originator of a new school, the progenitor of 'New Learning.'
For instance, though Ihelm led the Dukan school, the Elder was the late 'Dukan' from fifty years ago.
—Are you saying Professor Deculein would become the founder of a school?!
"That's the possibility~! But the paper's still too tough! I haven't understood it yet! Gotta go study!"
"······."
Ifrin ground her teeth watching.
······Elder? Did I just hear that? Deculein an Elder?
Then isn't chairman a lock? What kind of paper is it? Even the chairman finds it hard······.
Every voice rippling through the tower grated on her nerves. The snickers and chatter among them grated too.
"Elder······."
Ifrin muttered blankly. Then she sank into thought.
If Deculein became an Elder.
Soaring brilliantly on her father's legacy, while her father's name stayed buried at the bottom.
Just imagining it twisted her guts. Like her insides knotting.
"······."
Ifrin pulled a letter from her pocket.
Her father's handwriting: 'I have research prepared for you—.'
She reread the line, staring blankly into the distance with empty eyes.
"Yes! That paper has something really special about it! I'll do the first review and submit to the Floating Island~!"
The interview continued.
Yet the 'research' her father had entrusted to her was now in someone else's hands—not hers.
······Today, even on the drive to work, reporters hounded me. All because of the rumor Adrienne had leaked beforehand about 'paper submission.'
—Professor, do you intend to become an Elder?!
—What will you name your school?
—A word as a leading chairman candidate, please!
—The Round Table won't stand by idly.
Senseless questions flew at the car window, cameras swarmed the path, but I finally escaped and arrived, exhausted, at the tower's 77th floor.
"Professor!"
Allen came running from the hallway.
I entered the office wordlessly. Allen followed, clutching a bundle of papers.
"Professor!"
"······What."
As I shed my coat with Telekinesis, he cleared his throat with a hem-hem. Then, in a lowered voice, he asked.
"What is your purpose in aiming for chairman."
"······."
I stared silently. Allen glanced at his papers, then spoke again.
"You're slow to answer."
"······What are you doing."
"Predicted hearing questions. I drafted some—"
"Enough."
"Nee······? Don't we need to prepare like this? I hear Mage Ihelm's in seclusion at the palace prepping."
"No need."
If this were the original Deculein,
he'd be more focused on schemes to drag Ihelm into ruin than such preparations.
"Still······."
"Enough."
Knock-knock—
The door opened with the knock.
"······Professor. You're here."
It was Ifrin.
She approached with a subdued air, placing documents on my desk.
Bow—
Her bowed head and retreating figure were unlike her usual self. Like a drenched sponge, sagging and dripping at every step.
"······."
But asking why would be too insensitive. Truthfully, I wasn't that interested.
A flaw in my personality.
"Ifrin... Is something wrong······?"
Allen, on the other hand, was different.
"Allen."
"Ah, neee?"
He turned with a feigned look of concern.
"Leave now. I have work."
"Ah, neee. That······ predicted Q&A."
"Check it when I have time."
"Yep! Fighting, Professor!"
Adrienne was the chairman of the Magic Tower.
In other words, the head of the directors.
Thus, the tower had directors. Given its full name, Imperial Royal University Magic Tower, about thirteen in total rotated the role—university deans and imperial connections.
"······Congratulations, Chairman."
They showed utmost deference to the chairman. To Adrienne, whose ascension to Archmage was imminent, even the emperor's authority couldn't touch her.
At least until she left this tower, she was untouchable.
"Thanks! Sit down!"
Adrienne giggled and had them sit.
The tower's 100th floor, special conference room, was convened today on the topic of 'successor chairman.'
"Ihelm and Deculein. Both fitting talents, but the frontrunner is undoubtedly Deculein, with nearly ten years at the tower."
One of the thirteen directors, 'Druman,' presented as proposer.
Adrienne nodded.
"Yeah, sure! But you never know what might happen! We should finish the candidate evaluation with the hearing first!"
"Quite right. The hearing is tentatively scheduled two weeks from Monday."
"Mm~ Better to do it quick! Expose any dirt early! Then exoneration! Voting or final meeting after!"
All nodded in agreement. Satisfied, the chairman brought up the next item.
"But have both candidates submitted their 'witness requests' for the hearing?!"
"Yes. Mage Ihelm requested three witnesses total. Professor Deculein requested none."
"None?!"
Adrienne's eyes widened.
"Yes. But since at least one is required, perhaps Professor Ruina or Professor Rellin will step up."
"······Mm. Give me the witness list."
"Here."
Director Druman handed over a sealed envelope—confidential, magically sealed.
Rip—! Tearing it open, Adrienne asked.
"The witnesses each requests are kept secret from each other, right? Revealed on the day?!"
"Yes. Principle is disclosure on the day."
"Got it."
Nodding roughly, she looked at the [Witness Request Form]. Checked the names listed.
"······Huh?"
Misread? She rubbed her eyes and looked again.
Same.
"This······."
Adrienne pointed to a line with her finger, turning to the directors.
"Yes. We were quite surprised too. To think he'd request a newbie who entered the tower less than a year ago as a witness."
At their words, Adrienne blinked.
Staring blankly like a guppy, blink-blink— then suddenly.
"······Pfft!"
A tickle surged up her throat! An involuntary smile leaked out.
"Heehee! Hahaha! Ah, this······ Pffft!"
Like a happy child, or a deflated balloon.
Adrienne just laughed, gazing at the [Witness Request Form].
"Ahahaha~!"
The Magic Tower hearing schedule was also announced to the Imperial Palace.
"Chairman candidates······."
Sophien rolled on her bed, reading the document.
The next chairman candidates for the Imperial Magic Tower: Deculein and Ihelm's hearing.
Kairon said.
"Yes. That is correct."
"Hmm······."
The emperor stroked her chin in thought.
"······Hm."
What politics and schemes would unfold. What attacks they'd trade. How muddy it would get.
Just thinking of it was thrilling.
"Good. I shall attend as well."
"······Pardon?"
Kairon asked back. Sophien smirked.
"I mean I'll attend."
"Ah. As a cat, Your Majesty?"
"No. In person. Myself."
"······."
To Kairon, Sophien's recent outings felt unaccustomed.
"A next-chairman hearing warrants my presence. That tower is mine to begin with, is it not?"
"······Your Majesty's mere attendance could tip the scales."
Kairon conveyed polite opposition. Sophien narrowed her eyes at him.
"Why."
"Naturally, because Deculein is Your Majesty's tutoring mage."
"Hah. True, Deculein is my tutoring mage, but Ihelm is an imperial mage I've met dozens of times coming and going to the palace. What issue? Moreover, why shouldn't my opinion be reflected?"
"······."
"That tower is mine. No one's but mine. Eh? Mine."
"······."
"They're selecting one to rule my tower in my stead. I can't attend?"
"······No. My thinking was shortsighted."
Kairon nodded with a sigh-like motion.
The lazy emperor, precisely because of her laziness, never retracted a decision once made.
"Hmph!"
Sophien twisted her lips scornfully.
······Over the next ten days.
The tower's hot topic was entirely the 'hearing.'
Adrienne's Archmage ascension was a given, so the more uncertain Ihelm-Deculein hearing drew eyes.
"Rolling-in Ihelm or top professor Deculein. Currently 8:2 favoring Deculein."
Julie said while checking the whiteboard. It tallied tower mages' opinions.
"But Ihelm's overflowing with confidence. Requested three or four witnesses. Mustered all imperial and family ties?"
Ifrin made no reply.
"Deculein's acting like it's sealed, only one witness, barely talking to family."
"······."
"So if Deculein loses, it'll be from complacency. Ah~ Wonder what tomorrow brings. Curious."
Ifrin dropped her pen with a clack and glared at Julie.
"Julie."
"Yeah?"
"Not interested."
"······Uh, uh, yeah."
Her unusually cold demeanor startled Julie, who set down the board.
"······."
Ifrin checked the clock.
7 p.m.
The main hearing was tomorrow, but prep—who knew how many nights—started today.
"I'm going."
"Uh, yeah. See you tomorrow~."
Julie waved awkwardly, and Ifrin boarded the tower elevator.
Ding—
Tap the card from Ihelm, and 'special floor' activated. Not 1st or 77th.
Vrrr—
The elevator shot up steeply. Ears popped from pressure; she swallowed to clear.
Ding—!
Arrival. Beyond the slowly opening doors stood Ihelm.
"Oh, you're here."
"······."
"Ah~ Shame. Would've been better as a public hearing. Right?"
"Don't delude yourself."
Ifrin glared. Having eaten nothing lately, her gaze brimmed with venom.
"I'm not on your side. I can attack you too."
"······Yeah. I know."
Ihelm shrugged smugly.
"Your position just favors me. I don't expect more."
"······."
"Got it? Go wait in the [Witness Lounge]. Better than a five-star hotel. They'll call when needed—rest easy."
"Soda Ifrin. Follow me."
Ihelm's butler or secretary—some lackey—approached Ifrin.
She shot Ihelm a glare and followed the lackey.
"Here. Wait. Detailed schedule TBA."
She sat on the bed in the guided room. Stared blankly at the wall.
Tick-tock- tick-tock—
The empty second hand echoed.
Tick-tock- tick-tock—
The resonance spread through her body.
"······Suffocating."
Unable to bear the silence, Ifrin pulled out her worn, frayed travel bag.
She picked any letter from the pile of her father's.
"Dad······."
I have research prepared for you—
The words on the paper.
She read each character deliberately, like savoring, slowly calming her heart.
"······Is this right."