Chapter 23
Chapter 23
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 23
Chapter Title: Orca
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There are three ways to encounter Heavenly Thunder Orca in the game.
1. Hire Killing Guard Sect assassins as escorts and wait in front of the Derusia Magic Tower in the Lutran field.
2. Kill an Ascard.
3. Invade the Derusia Magic Tower.
There is no official route in the game to become a mage affiliated with the Derusia Magic Tower.
Common spells can be bought from NPCs or shops, but the only way to obtain tower spells is by farming them from Derusia mages.
As a result, there was no peaceful way to become Orca's disciple and inherit her unique magic. To learn Derusia magic and Orca's unique spells, you had to kill Derusia mages and then kill Orca.
The condition to meet the hidden boss, the God of Chaos, is to hunt all bosses except the Heavenly Demon. That's why even Lee Soo-hyuk's Padrip Immunity had to kill Orca multiple times.
The most frequently used method was number 3.
The Ascard Family is a honey pot for farming resources and elixirs. Harass them, and Derusia Magic Tower mages get dispatched one after another. Hunting them every time is a hassle, and if you kill too many, Orca appears with a low probability even without killing Alfreon Ascard.
Heavenly Thunder Orca. She's too strong and tricky to defeat without proper preparation. So, before seriously grinding the Ascards, it was more convenient to wipe out the Derusia Magic Tower first.
'As expected, it's different from the game.'
In the game, the Derusia Magic Tower consisted of five fields.
Floor 1: Mages in the 20s level.
Floor 2: Mages in the 40s level.
Floor 3: Mages in the 50s level.
Floor 4: Mages in the 60s level.
And on the final floor 5, the level 81 tower lord, Heavenly Thunder Orca Derusia, appears alone.
But the Derusia Magic Tower in reality was different from the start in terms of floors. Yuri looked up at the tower that seemed to exceed 10 floors and swallowed hard.
Gulp.
A gulping sound came from the side as well. Glancing over, Elena had her lips pressed tight, her face more tense than ever.
"Why are you so tense?"
"W-What do you mean?"
He nudged her with his elbow as he spoke, and Elena jumped in surprise, turning to Yuri.
"Anyone can see you're tense."
Shouldn't I be the one tense? Yuri grumbled inwardly as he glared at the entrance to the Derusia Magic Tower.
He didn't know exactly why Heavenly Thunder Orca had summoned him.
'Bring your childhood friend tomorrow morning.'
That cranky mage had suddenly shown up at Elena's lab yesterday and said that. Elena had freaked out and asked why, but she hadn't gotten a reason for the summons.
No matter how favored she was as a prospective disciple, Elena couldn't defy Orca. And so, today, Yuri had come to the Derusia Magic Tower with Elena.
"Surely she won't kill us."
Unlike the tense pair, Ha-ryeong's face was calm. She looked at Yuri with a disinterested expression and continued.
"Just relax. Think of it as an interview."
"What interview? I have no intention of becoming a Derusia mage."
"That's quite the leap. Even I don't think it's an interview to recruit you to the tower, so put any expectations aside."
"Then what kind of interview?"
"Who knows."
Ha-ryeong shrugged and took a step back.
"Then I'll go inform Baker that today's training is canceled. Elena, should I pick you up at the same time?"
"Y-Yeah."
Elena stammered her response. Ha-ryeong inwardly clicked her tongue at the sight.
'It seems that's why she was summoned.'
Ha-ryeong hadn't been Elena's bodyguard for long. But she knew Elena's attitude had changed a lot since Yuri came along.
The old Elena had been a bit colder, blindly devoted to magic, and prioritized her own achievements.
But spending time with Yuri had changed her. Her cold personality had softened considerably. That was a good change. And Elena was still diligently pouring her all into magic.
But that wasn't enough. There were plenty of hardworking, best-effort types in the world, and in the Derusia Magic Tower. Moreover, tower mages possessed not just effort, but talent as well.
Golden Lily Elena Haiderga was one of the favored prospective disciples of Heavenly Thunder Orca. Favor meant expectations. The great mage at the pinnacle of the Ivory Tower of Lightning might hope her disciple becomes a magic-mad lunatic.
The Elena before meeting Yuri wasn't a lunatic, but she had the potential to become one.
What about now?
"L-Let's... go in."
Elena swallowed hard and took the lead.
Truth be told, Yuri didn't want to follow. If possible, he wanted to refuse the summons. He still didn't want to get involved with that cranky Heavenly Thunder Orca.
But since Orca had named him directly, there was no choice. Yuri swallowed a sigh and followed behind Elena.
In the game, entering the Derusia Magic Tower immediately triggered attacks from the mages, but reality was, of course, different. However, gazes as sharp as attacks stabbed into Yuri.
"Oh my?"
A woman sitting in the first-floor lounge snorted. Her attire was different from the other mages right away. The expensive-looking robe of purple fabric was embroidered with gold patterns, and her jewelry was flashy.
"So it's the famous guy from the rumors?"
The woman smirked openly and waved at Elena. A quick glance showed Elena's face crumpled in annoyance. She chewed her lip once before nodding curtly toward the woman.
"Senior Arist, is it okay for you to be here?"
"Ahaha, is there any reason I can't be here? This is the Derusia Magic Tower too."
"You look so relaxed. I heard you haven't met the quarterly performance benchmark yet?"
At that, Arist's face crumpled this time. She glared at Elena for a moment, then irritably brushed her spotless robe.
"Thanks for your concern, Elena. But you know, wherever you heard that, I have no problems."
"Well, of course. If it's dangerous, you can just ask your family's mages for help."
"What?!"
"But shouldn't you hold back this time? Last quarter, you pieced together spells from the Benharman Family mages too."
Arist's face flushed red. Her maternal family was the Benharman Family, always mentioned among magic nobility.
"You...!"
Panting with her reddened face, Arist shot up from her seat. The mages resting in the lounge showed no intention of intervening. It seemed like verbal spats between Arist and Elena were a familiar occurrence.
"Someone with nothing to her name, a penniless... "
"Enough."
A calm voice cut off Arist's outburst.
A woman in a pure white robe was approaching from beyond the lounge.
"There are things you can say and things you shouldn't."
That voice instantly dominated the atmosphere. Arist flinched and turned to the approaching woman. She hesitated, then ground her teeth and bowed her head deeply.
"Senior Reisi."
Elena glared at Arist with cold, sunken eyes before letting out a short sigh and bowing her head as well.
'It's that woman.'
Reisi Yuzha. Like Elena, she had reached 4th Tier at 20 and now, at 27, had attained 5th Tier—a genius. Practically the closest to being Orca's disciple.
'She might be a possessor.'
Reisi's first impression upon seeing her directly was far better than the openly rude Arist.
"With such a rare outside guest here, how can you show such ugliness?"
Reisi twirled her messy purple hair around her finger as she stared at Arist. Still bowing deeply, Arist sat back down without a word and turned her head away.
"Really."
Reisi gave a wry smile and stopped in front of Elena.
"Sorry. The tower lord gave instructions directly about your visit, but... having a non-mage outsider here isn't common."
Reisi said that while looking around.
"Well, you've all had your look? Are you planning to stay here? It's still too early for lunch."
He wondered why so many mages were in the first-floor lounge. They had all come out to see Yuri's face, apparently. Reisi confirmed the other mages leaving the lounge before turning back.
"Elena. You go to your lab too."
"Yes? But senior."
"It's the tower lord's order. I'll escort the guest myself, so you head to your lab. You have the quarterly report coming up too, right?"
"..."
"Of course, I don't think you'd miss the deadline."
Reisi smiled faintly and met Elena's eyes. Unable to resist the gentle coaxing tone and demeanor, Elena had no more rebuttals. Reisi, who had helped the 10-year-old Elena adapt and grow in the tower, was like a sister to her despite no blood ties.
"Yes..."
In the end, Elena nodded and stepped back.
"See you later."
Her eyes were full of anxiety and worry. Yuri gave a calm smile and waved to Elena.
"Then, guest, please follow me."
Yuri followed Reisi to the elevator beyond the lounge.
"How should I address you?"
"You can call me by name, Yuri."
"Yes, Reisi."
Her soft tone carried no pressure at all.
'Is she really a possessor?'
Yuri thought while staring at Reisi's unkempt purple hair at the back of her head. Possessors don't have the ability to recognize each other. But according to Elena, Reisi's tier was higher than Orca's at that age.
'The rumor that she might be a possessor... Orca must know about it too. And yet she made her a prospective disciple...'
Did she verify it? Or does she not care if it's a possessor? That could be. Not all possessors harm the world.
'Possessors' uniqueness pairs well with magic.'
Perhaps Orca recognized that talent and kept her close.
'THOR123 must have approached the Derusia Magic Tower somehow.'
Father of the lightning mage community. He stuck solely to lightning attribute magic and was the Seronis user who killed Orca and Derusia mages the most.
'Maybe Reisi is THOR123?'
In the game, you could spec up and rampage in the tower, but not in reality. Perhaps THOR123, who possessed into this world, chose the peaceful route of becoming a Derusia Magic Tower mage.
'Can't exactly ask outright.'
In the spacious elevator, Yuri stared at the back of Reisi's head.
"Sorry about earlier."
Reisi suddenly spoke up. She turned to Yuri with a faint smile.
"You might not know, but you're quite famous, Yuri."
"I didn't know I was famous. What are the rumors?"
"Hmm, how should I put it..."
"I can guess roughly. Not good ones, right?"
"Can't deny that."
"Never mind my grievances, but I feel bad for Elena. Because of a guy like me."
"We know you're childhood friends, but Elena gets a lot of attention anyway."
"It's just that. Nothing romantic between man and woman."
Yuri answered with a disinterested face. He wasn't deaf. When he went out alone from the estate sometimes, he heard the whispers.
Golden Lily's man.
Kept man.
"Actually, I've been interested in you too, Yuri. Did you hear? I used to share a room with Elena back then."
"I heard."
"She told me a lot about you. Hehe, she even sent me her first letter."
"Ah... I see."
"Childhood friends. Such a cool, special relationship. I don't have one, so I envy Elena."
Reisi giggled. Yuri glanced at the rising floor numbers and asked.
"Why did the tower lord summon me?"
"Hmm, well. I didn't hear the details. What I heard was..."
Her blue eyes curved happily as she stared at Yuri's face.
"To meet you once and see what kind of person you are. That's why I'm escorting you. It might sound funny coming from me, but I have pretty good eyes."
"See? I'm not that impressive."
"No, I don't think so. I heard you've only been properly initiated into martial arts for a month... Hehe, you don't look it at all."
"I heard you're the greatest talent in Derusia Magic Tower history. You know martial arts too?"
"Mages aren't required to only use magic. Not to a great level, but enough to protect myself when I can't use magic."
It was humble, but from a 5th Tier mage. Yuri made a slightly surprised expression and looked at Reisi again. Her oversized robe made it hard to tell her build, but up close, she had decent muscle.
'She's a possessor.'
There's no rule against unfair geniuses in the world, but reaching 5th Tier at 27 while also learning martial arts? It might be premature, but Yuri couldn't help thinking so.
'Is she probing?'
"Impressive."
He hid his thoughts and reacted. Learning martial arts wasn't something to hide, but combined with 'came to see you,' showing a glimpse of absurd talent rang alarms in Yuri's head.
'Does Orca suspect me?'
Fuck. He buried the curse in his chest.
"So, what do you think of me, Reisi?"
"Your martial talent looks outstanding. But your magic talent..."
Reisi shrugged with both hands in her robe pockets, trailing off.
"No need to be cautious. Having even one is something."
The elevator arrived at the top floor. Reisi, who had been watching Yuri quietly, nodded slightly and stepped back.
"Short talk, but it was fun. Yuri, I'll head back to my lab now."
"Yes. It was fun for me too."
A lie. It wasn't fun. His head was complicated with suspicions. Reisi seemed like a possessor no matter how he looked, but her identity was unclear.
'THOR123?'
Come to think of it, THOR123 never verified gender, so no guarantee it was male. He rarely shared personal stories, only posting lightning mage guides.
'Could be someone else.'
Leaving the unresolved suspicions, he stepped out of the elevator. Beyond the slowly closing doors, Reisi smiled brightly.
"..."
In the descending elevator, Reisi pondered for a moment.
"Doesn't seem like it...?"
She mumbled something incomprehensible and tilted her head.
*
The top floor of the Derusia Magic Tower, Heavenly Thunder Orca's room, was completely different inside from what he'd seen in the game.
"Is a month long enough to call it 'long time no see'?"
The room was too vast to call a room, occupying the entire floor. Orca was perched on the large desk in the center.
"Long enough for 'long time no see,' I think."
Yuri bowed his head first.
"Long time no see, Orca."
"I see. Long time no see indeed."
Orca chuckled and nodded.
"Called you suddenly. Not unpleasant, I hope?"
"Unpleasant? Quite the honor, actually."
"Good if you mean that sincerely. Now, let's see, a seat..."
With a flick of her finger, a sofa from one side of the room floated over to near Yuri.
"Sit there. Something to drink? Coffee? Water? I have alcohol too."
"Water's fine."
A table moved in front of the sofa. Yuri admired the floating water pitcher and teacup.
"Magic sure is convenient."
"In ways like this, better than martial arts."
Orca, still perched on the desk, crossed her legs.
"Well, high-tier martial artists show similar feats with Air Grasp. But mages can do this at just 2nd Tier."
"I doubt 2nd Tier mages do it this easily."
"True enough."
Pour. The pitcher poured water into the teacup at Orca's gesture.
"Why do you think I called you?"
"Honestly, no clue."
"I was going to call you after your training ended. But Kwon Rang took a liking to you more than expected and kept teaching even after a month?"
"Grateful for that."
"Didn't intend to interfere with your training, but thought we should meet once."
"For what reason?"
"Elena Haiderga."
The name came out abruptly.
"Do you know about her family name, Haiderga?"
He had expected Elena's name, but the question itself caught Yuri off guard a bit.
"No, I don't."
Orphan Yuri had no surname. Ten years ago, neither did Elena. But at some point, she acquired 'Haiderga.'
"It was my former surname."
Orca said with a smile.
"The tower lord inherits the tower's name as surname. So I'm Orca Derusia. But I wasn't born Orca Derusia. My old name was Orca Haiderga."
First time hearing this.
"Ten years ago, I found a gem at the Oldor Orphanage. Well, not exactly found. I went because of the director's letter. Anyway, Elena was a gem, so I took her in."
"..."
"No surname, so I gave her my old one. Properly, of course. On paper, she's Haiderga. Could call her my adopted daughter, technically."
Orca chuckled lowly after saying that.
"Unfortunately, I have no maternal love for Elena. She doesn't see me as mother either. Our relationship now is close to master and disciple. Not real disciple, though."
Her golden eyes curved.
"I expect her to become one someday. I see her as next tower lord material."
"If by tier alone, isn't Reisi closer?"
"For now, but Elena's younger than Reisi. And Reisi has no intention of taking the Derusia name. She only wants my magic. Sly one."
Orca stared at Yuri's face for a moment.
"What do you think?"
"About what?"
"Do you think Elena Haiderga can become Elena Derusia?"
What answer does she expect? Yuri didn't reply immediately, meeting Orca's gaze. The golden eyes pierced like they saw through him, but Yuri didn't avert them.
"Yes."
Yuri nodded slowly.
"I think Elena can become the Derusia Magic Tower lord someday. She desires it herself."
He added a joke.
"If mother and daughter both become tower lords, Haiderga can claim to be a magic noble house."
"Hahaha."
Orca burst into laughter.
"A house with just me and Elena, though."
"Well, it could grow later."
"How do you feel about Elena?"
The sudden question hit hard.