Enoch, This Arrogant Bastard
In the Empire of Valderich, countless academies existed. While no formal hierarchy ranked them, most imperial citizens regarded Artemisia Academy as the finest. The man serving as chairman of this Artemisia Academy was Valter Ulrican, a Domination-level mage.
Today, he had received several peculiar phone calls.
"Uh... So, Teacher? What did you say? I'm sorry, but could you repeat that?"
Valter asked hesitantly, pressing the communication device to his ear. His usual confident and arrogant demeanor was nowhere to be seen. But it couldn't be helped. The other party was simply too formidable.
The person speaking with Valter was none other than Jane Alura, a Boundary-level mage of the Empire. No matter how powerful a Domination-level mage and chairman of the empire's top academy he was, he was nothing before her. If he dared to talk back? It would be like a firefly challenging the full moon. No one in their right mind would confront a Boundary-level mage. They were beings who could devour an entire city like brunch if they so wished.
Thinking that, his body naturally bowed. Valter unconsciously hunched over and listened attentively to the voice coming through.
- Uh... So, a little kid and an adult man will be visiting soon? They were saying something about enrolling in the academy, so take good care of them.
"Um... In other words, they wish to enroll in the academy. Is that what you're saying?"
- Yeah. Probably. I don't know the details either, so you'll have to meet them and talk it out. You know what happens if you cause trouble, right?
"However, Tower Lord. No matter what, we can't accept just anyone without proper procedures..."
- Beep beep beep
The call was cut off midway. Jane had said what she wanted and hung up.
"..."
Valter's hand trembled as he turned off the communication device. Even so, I'm the chairman. What kind of humiliation is this?
Just as Valter was about to spit out a word in anger, the communication device rang again.
- Beep beep
"...This is Chairman Valter. Who is this?"
- Ah, Valter. It's been a while. It's me, Nordila.
"Lord of the Ice Tower...? Oh, it's been a long time since we last spoke! What brings you to call?"
- Ah, it's nothing much. Soon, a man named Enoch and a girl named Lakrina will be visiting your place.
"Yes? Ah... Yes..."
- They'll probably want to enroll in the academy, so take good care of them. Consider it as me writing a letter of recommendation. Do you understand?
"Just a moment, Lord Nordila. No matter what, there are procedures..."
- Beep beep beep
"......"
The call was cut off again. For the same reason as before.
Valter stared at the communication device with a dumbfounded expression, the receiver still in his hand.
"What the hell is this—"
- Beep beep beep
The device rang once more.
Valter seriously considered it for a moment. 'Should I just not answer?'
But that wasn't an option. Who knew what might happen later if he didn't pick up? In the end, the one responsible would be none other than the chairman himself.
Valter reluctantly answered the call. With a slightly hesitant tone, he spoke.
"...This is Chairman Valter. We do not accept proposals for special admissions or donations. Please understand—"
- Valter. It's the Guild Master.
"......G-Guild Master. What brings you to contact me..."
Valter bowed again in shock. The other party was none other than the Magic Guild Master, Rosita Mantera. He was an elder in the mage society and Valter's senior. To spout nonsense about special admissions or donations to such a person—Valter felt the urge to strangle his past self from a minute ago.
- Haha, what else? Do I only call when there's business?
"T-That's right. Haha..."
- Actually, you're right. There is business. Sorry about this.
"..."
His mind was already in chaos. Valter wiped his cold sweat, cleared his throat, took a deep breath to calm his nerves, gargled with saliva, then carefully held his breath and spoke politely.
"Guild Master. Could it be that what you're about to say is about a man named Enoch visiting with a student?"
- What, you already heard? That's right. It's exactly about that.
"...Guild Master. I'm sorry, but we have procedures here as well. No matter how talented they are, coming to the school unannounced and at will is a bit much, don't you think?"
Valter spoke as if mustering his courage. It was the result of his pride as chairman and the power from his position as a Domination-level mage. Of course, half of it was a gamble. After all, he was the chairman. Surely they wouldn't kill him for being arrogant, right?
- Hmm... You're right. Laws and procedures exist to be followed.
"Right? So the enrollment matter is, after all—"
- However, Valter? I have some advice I'd like to give.
"...I'm listening. Please speak."
- Yes. What I want to say is this. Those laws and procedures? Don't rely on them too much. Mages shouldn't depend on such things. Just as there's a butcher's knife for slaughtering cows, mages have their own ways. The easy path can sometimes be the correct answer. Do you understand what I'm saying?
Rosita spoke as if giving advice.
Valter felt like he was going to lose his mind. 'You're the guild master. You're the one who should uphold the law more than anyone. Even if it were someone else, you shouldn't do that! People shouldn't be like that!'
Valter cursed inwardly with all sorts of profanities. Of course, he couldn't actually say them. After all, a mage's life was long. If he did, who knew what would happen? No one could tell.
"...I understand. I'll prepare everything for the enrollment myself."
- Haha, that's the spirit. I'll be counting on you. Fighting!
- Beep beep beep
Rosita laughed and ended the call.
Valter remained frozen in a daze for a while even after the call disconnected. Just as a beeping sound began to ring, he belatedly turned off the device and let out a heavy sigh.
- Hoo...
"...Enoch, was it? Just what kind of guy is he?"
A belated question arose. Until now, the name Enoch had not existed in Valter's mind. Yet the situation was unfolding strangely. A man whom even the Tower Lords and the Guild Master contacted in unison. Why had he never heard of someone like that until now?
"...There must be something to him—"
- Beep beep beep
The communication device rang again.
"..."
Valter closed his eyes. He let out another heavy sigh. Then, with a look of complete resignation, he struggled to open the device.
"...This is Chairman Valter."
- Ah, Valter. It's me, Bergo Tessa. It's nothing much—
The other party was Bergo, the Lord of the Lightning Tower.
Valter eventually closed his eyes. Already, four Boundary-level mages had contacted him. In the past, when he had wanted to meet them so badly, he couldn't even have a single conversation. Whatever the case, he was finally settling that grudge today.
Valter consoled himself that way. For some reason, a single tear rolled down his cheek.
'Enoch, you son of a bitch... I won't let you off when we meet...'
It was a small bonus that he harbored resentment toward someone whose face he didn't even know.
@ At the same time, in Magnusra.
Enoch made another call on the communication device. On the other end, Jane, who had received the call, openly grumbled.
- You crazy bastard. You're really insane.
"Why, Sister? You have no words you can't say to your cute little brother."
- Do you think I have a choice right now? What? My cute little brother is looking for his sister desperately? Do you know how hard it was to explain after you left that kind of message? Do you really want to die?! Huh?!
Suddenly, shouting flew through. Enoch briefly pulled the device away from his ear, then put it back when it seemed to quiet down.
"I always appreciate it. I won't forget this favor."
- You bastard! You weren't listening to me just now—
"The device seems to be acting up. I'll hang up now. I'll contact you again next time."
- Hey, you !%!@!#!%!
- Click!
Enoch hung up the device and scratched his ear. Was it because Jane had shouted? His ears felt a bit muffled.
'Next, should I call the Guild Master?'
Enoch picked up the device again. Then, he rolled his finger and entered the direct code he had noted earlier.
- Ring ring ring
- Hello? Is this Enoch?
"Yes, Guild Master."
- Yeah, you called at just the right time. I just got a definite answer a moment ago.
Rosita cheerfully laughed and explained the details. That the academy would contact them within a few days. That Enoch's appointment letter would also be issued around the same time. And that she had put in quite a bit of effort for all of this.
In summary, that was the content.
"I owe you a great debt. I won't forget this favor."
- Enough. Don't say such things for no reason. I have expectations of you as well.
"Expectations. Come to think of it, have you tried the whiskey I gave you last time?"
- Of course. It was absolutely amazing. What exactly is that whiskey? The way my body heated up was quite unusual.
Rosita spoke with an excited tone. From the atmosphere, it didn't seem like empty words. She really seemed to like it quite a bit.
'I should use this often.'
- The conversation got a bit long. Anyway, the gift was well used. I hope you liked my gift as well.
"I've already received it happily. Ah, and I'll send you a few more of the same whiskey. If you run out, please contact me separately."
- ...You're starting to feel like my real little brother. From now on, call me 'brother' in private. This is an order.
"Yes. Brother. Take care on your way. I'll contact you again."
- Click
Enoch ended the call after leaving his regards. Then, he stretched his stiff neck. Now, all that was left was to express his gratitude to Nordila and Bergo Tessa.
Enoch picked up the device again. At that moment, someone spoke from behind him.
"Hey, arrogant newbie."
"...?"
Enoch was slightly taken aback. Arrogant newbie. There was only one person who called him that.
Thinking it might be, he turned his head. As expected, his guess was correct. When he turned his head, what appeared was none other than the Lord of the Earth Tower, Raselin Iskuta.
"...Lord of the Earth Tower?"
"Why."
"What brings you here without contacting me first?"
"Contact? Is that important right now?"
Raselin, who had suddenly appeared, seemed to be in a very bad mood. Before Enoch could ask the reason, she revealed it herself.
"Enoch, you arrogant junior bastard. Why didn't you contact me? Are you ostracizing me?"
"Yes?"
"Why are you pretending not to know? Do you want to die? You contacted everyone else except me, didn't you? Don't you know that if I want, I can know almost everything that happens on the ground?"
Raselin stomped her foot and quietly fumed. Her green hair swayed wildly with the vibration.
"I can't forgive you. Turn around right now."
"Yes?"
"Quickly."
Raselin continued to press him while fixing her hair. A moment later, sharp horns grew from her forehead. They were horns reminiscent of a unicorn.
Enoch unconsciously took a few steps back.
"What exactly are you trying to do?"
"Turn around quickly. Hurry."