Chapter 254
Chapter 254
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 254
Chapter Title: Visiting the Central Magic Tower
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Step.
As he walked, Cheon-seong found the sensation of the wind brushing against his body to be unfamiliar.
The thought itself was strange.
Rustle.
Through my gently swaying hair, my eyes took in a scene completely different from before.
—The world outside the academy.
The capital of the current empire. I was now walking down the main street of Edelfia.
“…It’s strange.”
That was the feeling I had as I muttered the words. Three months had already passed since I entered the academy. Yet, the number of times I had been outside was few and far between.
No, it was so few I couldn't even count it on one hand. At most…
‘Perhaps only the day Anastasia treated me to a meal.’
Excluding that one meal outside, it was no exaggeration to say my daily routine was confined to a narrow space.
Dormitory – Academy – Training grounds – Another training ground – Café – Lounge…
It wasn't that I hadn't been to many places. I had visited several locations, but it felt like I was only ever visiting the same few places.
And all of that time was spent ‘within the academy.’
Step, step…
Taking in the city's various restaurants, streets, and people, I quickened my pace with a completely different feeling.
My current destination was the Central Magic Tower.
The place where the Tower Master, Ariya, resided—a space virtually forbidden to non-mages.
Slide.
I absentmindedly took out the token I had tucked into my sleeve and stared at it.
—A jewel in the shape of a pure white flower.
A pure white jewel engraved with the symbol of the Central Magic Tower. Since it was a token given to me directly by the Tower Master, Ariya, I had no worries.
“Getting into the tower itself should be fine.”
I figured entry itself wouldn't be an issue. However, the matter of establishing my attitude when meeting Ariya still weighed on my mind.
I had even consulted David about my worries without realizing it, yet my mind was still not settled.
—Han Cheon-seong. You must have a reason for trying to do that, right?
It was just as David had casually answered me.
My absurd question about whether he had ever seduced someone he didn't like.
Even after hearing my words, David had given me a serious answer.
That there must be a good reason.
And that was the answer.
‘…There is a reason.’
A reason for me to survive. What greater reason could there be for me right now?
...Haa.
Despite that, I let out a small sigh and carefully tucked the white jewel back into my clothes. Then I gently lowered my gaze.
‘Don’t hesitate.’
Hesitating now, reconsidering like this, was ridiculous.
I had already decided to do it. I had to push forward. That was the right thing to do.
Whatever I do, if I believe it must be done, I have to think of the reason and just do it. If I was going to regret it later, I shouldn't even have tried in the first place.
But what about me now?
The very act of taking the time to come to the Magic Tower was me making the attempt.
“I don't know if it's possible or not. But I'll do… what I can.”
It felt a little ridiculous even as I said it.
I had no certainty that I could win Ariya's affection. But I had to act as if I did.
‘Right, I need to be confident.’
Even as I nodded, I had to first consider if it was even possible.
The mindset of making her fall for me. Without that confidence, nothing would work.
When approaching someone, if you lack confidence in yourself, you can't properly connect with them, no matter how you present yourself.
That was the mindset I had from the very beginning, from level 1 of Common Spearmanship, when I had nothing.
“...”
I gently brushed my face. How much further had I walked?
A structure that could only be described as magnificent came into view.
The Magic Tower's bizarre structure held a special quality, different even from the vast grounds of the academy.
In a way, it was like looking at a colossal, cylindrical tower. A geometric marvel whose principles and construction I couldn't fathom, even if I tried.
I gazed for a moment at the pure white tower that seemed to stretch endlessly into the sky.
‘It’s magnificent.’
Despite being situated in a part of the imperial capital, it stood aloof, as if separate from all other buildings. Within a certain radius, there were no commercial districts, not even other buildings, as if to demonstrate the towering authority of the Magic Tower.
“Let’s go…”
Leaving those thoughts behind, I took a small, deep breath and stepped forward.
I walked confidently toward what appeared to be the entrance of the Magic Tower.
***
The Central Magic Tower.
A figure stepped into the space that served as the entrance to the usually quiet Magic Tower.
Ordinarily, it was a domain for mages alone. Outsiders who were not mages couldn't even set foot inside. Even if they were members of the imperial family, they would have to go through the proper procedures if they wished to enter the Magic Tower at their whim.
But now.
Having boldly entered the tower, Cheon-seong passed through the various barrier-like formulas with ease, reaching the entrance.
“…What in the world.”
The mid-ranked mage blinked, watching the scene unfold.
‘Seril Reeris,’ a woman with short, golden hair, tilted her head in confusion.
A man who, no matter how she looked at him, did not seem to be a mage had entered the tower. His appearance was youthful, as if he had just reached adulthood.
Moreover, she recognized his black hair, black eyes, and the distinctive uniform that marked him as an academy student.
Step.
Step.
But as soon as their eyes met and he strode toward her, Seril felt as if she were witnessing the impossible.
‘There were definitely no appointments.’
She was on duty, guarding the tower's entrance, but she hadn't heard anything.
After all, visits to the Magic Tower were strictly by appointment, and could only happen if a proper ‘promise’ had been made through the correct channels.
Given the nature of mages, who valued their personal time, no one appreciated sudden visits. And so, Seril could only stare at Cheon-seong as if he were a curious animal until he stood before her.
“Excuse me. I’m here to see the Tower Master… Is she perhaps in the tower right now?”
At Cheon-seong's subsequent words, Seril couldn't help but let out a dry laugh.
He was clearly someone without an appointment, and a man who looked like a student at that.
And yet, he was brazenly saying he was here to see the Tower Master.
“Ah.”
Clearing her throat with a small cough, Seril spoke, managing to sound rather composed despite everything.
“Excuse me, could I have your name first?”
Wondering if he might be a high-ranking noble, Seril decided to confirm that first.
Even so, she felt annoyed.
She was on duty now, in charge of the tower entrance, but she was only doing it because she had to. Low-ranking mages couldn't be entrusted with the entrance, so she was one of the mages recognized by the tower.
“My name is Han Cheon-seong.”
Seril tilted her head at his feignedly natural tone.
‘No surname?’
The unusual name Han Cheon-seong was one thing, but what puzzled her more was that he didn't state a family name.
“…I see. Then, do you have an appointment? Or perhaps made one suddenly?”
“No, I don’t have an appointment. Is one required?”
“Yes, of course. Without an appointment, you cannot meet with any of the mages affiliated with the tower. Let alone the Tower Master… Lady Ariya is an extremely difficult person to schedule an appointment with.”
“Ah…”
Seeing Cheon-seong nod blankly, Seril was both baffled and simply intrigued.
She was treating him politely out of courtesy, but she was still uncertain.
‘What is he?’
There were no clues from his outward appearance or demeanor.
Just a sense of calm that seemed beyond his years. There was a strange aura about him that made it difficult to treat him dismissively.
So, Seril just wanted to gently persuade him to leave. She didn't want to cause a scene and have him face any trouble.
‘Though I have no idea how he even got into the tower.’
Thinking it was no big deal, she opened her mouth to speak.
“From your question, it seems this is your first time at the Magic Tower… It would be best if you did a little more research and came back next time. Sudden visits can cause all sorts of disturbances, you see.”
As she spoke quietly with a light smile, Cheon-seong also gave an awkward smile and reached into his coat.
…!
At that, Seril's eyes instantly hardened.
‘What is this?’
A potential threat.
Just as Seril unconsciously gathered her mana in preparation for the worst.
Thwip.
Cheon-seong took out the pure white flower token he had received from Ariya. He held the beautiful jewel, which looked as if it were engraved with a snowflake, clearly in Seril's line of sight.
“Is it still not possible even if I show you this?”
At his calm question, Seril blinked blankly for a moment.
“…”
Her momentary tension seemed pointless as she stared, dumbfounded, at the jewel Cheon-seong held out.
And as she understood, she looked back and forth between Cheon-seong and Ariya's token before speaking, her voice almost creaking.
“…My apologies… I was rude.”
Even as she offered what was essentially an immediate apology, she couldn't understand.
‘Why.’
‘Why is the Tower Master's token in the hands of a mere student like him?’
There was no one in the Magic Tower who didn't recognize that distinctive white jewel.
It was a jewel that everyone wanted to receive, to possess. To mages, it could be called the greatest treasure on earth.
Yes, in a word, it was a ‘treasure.’
Because every mage desired the recognition of the Tower Master.
But that token, said to be obtained only by the most genius of geniuses, countable on one hand even among high-ranking mages…
How on earth did this man have it?
—!
Suddenly, a flash of white light filled the space. Then, brilliant silver hair adorned the area.
“…Tower Master!”
“……!”
Just as Seril and Cheon-seong stared blankly at her sudden appearance, Ariya’s radiant gaze swept over them.
“What’s this? You found your way here on your own.”
As she spoke casually, Ariya looked at Cheon-seong with an expression of curiosity.