Chapter 13
Chapter 13
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 13
Chapter Title: Meeting the Red Tower Master
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Aria led the way.
The targets were Dalpi and Ester.
"The Tower Master is in the Red Tower. And... to get to the Red Tower, you need to go to a specific location, but detailed information about that is a secret of the Flame School, so I can't tell you... Um, well, I'll guide you there for now!"
The sudden arrival of unexpected guests had chased away Aria's sleepiness.
Tristy family's youngest son, the genius who solved the Millennium Problem.
The divine figure who had suddenly appeared in the magic world, Ester Tristy.
"Please."
Ester politely bowed his head to Aria.
Aria swallowed hard.
'I hope I didn't make a bad impression...?'
She felt anxious.
To Aria, Ester's first impression had been that of a discarded young master.
And for good reason—unlike his other siblings, he was infamous in the territory for having no talent whatsoever, and even Tristy affiliates thought poorly of him.
He couldn't even properly cast the basic fire-starting spell 'Ignition.'
His swordsmanship lost to complete beginners who had just picked up a sword.
And whether it was due to his extremely timid personality causing frequent mistakes, his etiquette was a mess too.
She was a vassal who had sworn loyalty to Porto before being a professor at Tristy Academy.
Having observed Tristy from a distance, she never dreamed Ester possessed genius-level comprehension.
She thought the next family head after Porto would be Zephyr or Uriel.
Haniel was brilliant but frail, Kenneth was powerful but dumb.
Felix had so many flaws that she figured it would end up that way.
She had thought Ester would end up the same as Felix.
If she'd known, she would have invested more actively in Ester.
All the blood, sweat, time, and flattery poured into Uriel and Zephyr felt wasteful now.
Aria swallowed her tears inwardly.
"Young Master Ester."
"Yes?"
"If there's anything you need, please feel free to tell me."
She was terribly envious of the maid standing by Ester's side named Dalpi.
Was this that famous 'bottom-fishing'? Why was her own eye for talent so lacking?
"Sure, whatever...."
At Ester's indifferent response, Aria swallowed more tears.
But she was someone who always chose to press on without stopping.
'From now on, I need to make a good impression...!!'
Aria cleared her throat.
"The recreation of Hellfire you solved this time has truly helped and inspired so many wizards."
This was no empty flattery.
"The Justina Kingdom is currently at war with evil demons. To the north lies a mighty empire, and to the south, heretics who worship evil gods."
The Flame School primarily researched magic related to 'war.'
The Flame Cannon and Steam Tanks currently grinding demons to dust on the front lines had all been born from the Flame School.
The top-killing spells like Megido and Meteor were also children of the Flame School.
"By elucidating the recreation of Hellfire, research into new war magics that had stalled is now accelerating. This is truly a monumental achievement."
The recreation of Hellfire was the birth of a new concept.
The key was summoning and maintaining the immense power of hellfire energy in the present world, but the applications were endless.
"I see."
Ester remained expressionless.
Aria gauged Ester's reaction.
Had it come off like flattery? But this was genuine admiration...
"Soon, the Flame School will provide compensation to you, Young Master."
"I see."
'He doesn't seem materialistic either....'
Aria mentally noted this new trait of Ester's.
"Anyway, all the wizards in the academy want to meet you, Young Master Ester. Not just the Flame School, but the Illusion School, Celestial School, Life School, Dark School— the entire magic world has its eyes on you."
"I see."
'He doesn't seem to like these kinds of stories....'
It would probably be best not to ask why he'd hidden the intellect to solve the 'Millennium Problem' until now.
He didn't seem the type to enjoy attention.
"Anyway, if you have any questions, feel free to ask anytime. I can answer anything about the magic world."
"Yes."
The group stopped walking.
The spot where Ester now stood was under a massive tree within the academy grounds, its trunk engraved with runes.
Aria infused mana into the rune.
Wizards of the Flame School bore a blazing flame emblem tattooed on their backs.
It was mainly used to prove identity.
But its original purpose was to allow Flame School wizards easier access to the Red Tower via special runes installed across the kingdom.
In an instant, the rune glowed, and their vision flickered.
Proof that the teleportation had succeeded.
The open sky was replaced by a ceiling, walls rising up.
"We've arrived."
Red Tower, 1st floor.
Ester and the group had reached the lobby.
"Amazing. I thought teleportation was advanced magic...."
Dalpi blinked.
Aria kindly explained to Dalpi.
"Hehe, this travel method is the Red Tower's pride. The calculations are engraved in the runes and emblem, and the mana cost is fully borne by the tower. Please wait a moment."
At the center of the lobby was a mechanical device.
Beside it sat a communication crystal orb.
Aria manipulated the crystal while seeming to converse with someone.
Then, she operated the machine, and a small rift opened.
"The Tower Master has permitted only Young Master Ester to enter. Dalpi, please wait here with me."
"Hmm."
Dalpi stared intently at Ester.
"No problem."
"Understood."
Ester stepped into the rift.
Once he was gone, Aria cautiously spoke up.
"Um, Miss Maid...??"
"Yes, Professor."
"I have a question about the Young Master...!!"
It was quite a sight—an academy professor looking to a maid for cues.
"Um, why has Young Master Ester hidden his power until now...??"
"Hmm."
Dalpi gazed intently at the ceiling.
Had she stepped on a landmine? Aria fretted.
"Curious, are you?"
"Yes...."
Dalpi closed her eyes.
Aria swallowed hard at the maid's utterly solemn aura.
The maid's eyes snapped open.
"You're wondering why the Young Master, who pretended to be the weakest, is only now revealing his power?"
"Yes...!!"
Unknowingly, Aria clenched her fists.
Dalpi spoke in a calm voice.
"If you're curious, 200,000—no, 100,000 credits...."
"I-I'll pay...!!"
Aria eagerly opened her wallet.
"Sigh, I should have asked for more...."
"Y-Yes...??"
"No, that's not important...."
Dalpi grabbed Aria's shoulder.
"Listen well."
Dalpi whispered into Aria's ear.
"......!!!"
"That's all the information I have. Keep this secret from others. If you blab, you'll be in big trouble."
Aria wore a strange expression.
It was like the face of someone realizing they'd been scammed.
But.
"......"
Moments later, Aria stared gravely at the spot where Ester had vanished.
Dalpi pocketed the money.
This should go to the Young Master.
That was all she thought.
'As a maid, bringing profit to my master is basic etiquette.'
Unlike Dalpi, who seemed utterly unconcerned.
"......"
Aria quietly bit her nail.
***
I was guided by Aria and got to meet the Red Tower Master.
Along the way here, I'd heard the terrifying news that, thanks to me solving the Millennium Problem, new war magics were being enthusiastically researched.
Anyway, that wasn't the point.
"Hahaha! So you're the divine genius of the magic world, Ester Tristy!!"
Describe the feelings of a boy beholding the sight of a grandfather over 70 stripping off his shirt to flaunt his muscular body.
The letter had been filled only with polite, intellectual words—what was this?
This old man seemed to be the Red Tower Master, but he was far too boisterous for his age.
If I had to compare, it was like the Martial Heaven Sage bulking up to fire an energy blast?
He looked like the kind of grandpa who'd love giving free PT sessions to gym members.
This was the Red Tower Master?
'Is this that famous cover fraud? You know, that...?'
I already felt my energy draining.
"My name is Erphus! The master of the Red Tower who sent you that letter, and head of the Flame School. Your expression hasn't been great since earlier—what's a young genius like you frowning for?! Come on! Smile like me!! Hahaha!!"
I recalled Dalpi's words.
-This confident attitude works much better with others.
Alright, decision made.
Instead of "Hehehe, damn Erphus, what the hell are these muscles!! You're making me crave chicken breast!!" I'd treat him the same as I did Ethyl earlier.
『Understood.』
This grandpa sent the letter thinking I was the genius wizard who solved the Millennium Problem, after all.