An Awkward Reunion
We slipped away to a quiet spot where Neon and Shinshia couldn’t see us and finally caught up after what felt like ages.
“How long has it been?”
“Roughly a few months, I’d say?”
It was our first meeting since that wild raid on the black mages back at the academy. In the time since, we had all grown at completely different levels, and we could sense the power radiating from one another. A quiet wave of admiration passed between us.
“You’re already Silver-rank? Your growth speed is insane.”
“What the hell did you eat in the Central region to catch up to my level?”
I’d heard the stories—slaying demons, crushing a black mage stronghold. It sounded like they’d had their own share of spectacular adventures. Even though I’d fought like crazy in the North, the gap between me and the Ruin siblings hadn’t widened much at all.
“You really are a monster of talent.”
“Look who’s talking. What kind of insane adventures have you been on?”
“I took down a demon and stopped a mastermind trying to overthrow a nation, yet the gap still hasn’t closed.”
I shrugged at the Ruin siblings’ words. Living in the North naturally made you stronger. I’d spent time on the front lines and even led an expedition that netted us a massive legacy.
“Sit down. I’ll tell you the most epic adventure story you’ve ever heard.”
“We’ll listen to that later. Right now, let’s focus on those two.”
At Luna’s words, I turned to look where the pair had gone. They had moved to a secluded area and were awkwardly stumbling through a conversation.
“...Have you been well?”
“M-me? I’ve always been fine. What about you?”
“Uh, um? Yeah, me too.”
It was the kind of conversation that made you hold your breath just watching, but the two involved didn’t seem to notice as they kept awkwardly pressing on.
I watched Luna observe them with sparkling, entertained eyes, then turned back to Ruin. Since the spectators had entered full gossip mode, I figured I should talk to the only sane person here.
“What brings you guys here?”
“Shinshia’s grandfather was injured, so we came. We’re also taking the chance to resolve some issues with the Blue Tower.”
“Shinshia’s grandfather was an elder of the Blue Tower?”
“To be precise, he’s the Tower Master.”
I couldn’t hide my surprise at Ruin’s answer. Of course, trouble in the Blue Tower was inevitable the moment these two showed up. But the fact that Shinshia’s grandfather was the actual Tower Master… that was something else.
“He’s a bigger shot than I thought.”
“This year really has been a golden generation in many ways.”
I nodded at Ruin’s words. A prince from one kingdom, an imperial prince, a saintess—it was already flashy enough. Adding the granddaughter of a magic tower master to the mix wasn’t strange at all.
Having convinced myself, I kept watching the two who were still talking and asked, “Earlier I heard you came to solve the Blue Tower’s problems. What exactly did you mean by that?”
“It’s nothing too complicated. When we raided that black mage hideout before, we found experimental tools that seemed to belong to the Blue Tower.”
“It’s not strange for magic towers to sell experimental tools, but the fact that you’re bringing it up suggests there’s a problem, right?”
“Obviously. Those experimental tools are highly valued even within the Blue Tower. They’re strictly non-commercial and can only be made here. Shinshia confirmed it herself.”
So it wasn’t a simple case of supplies being leaked. With the higher-ups of the Blue Tower recently injured, they’d probably used that as an excuse to come investigate.
“Any suspects?”
“We’re still searching. We only arrived a few days ago.”
I narrowed my eyes at Ruin’s explanation. Evidence of cooperation with black mages discovered right when the Tower Master and elders were all injured… It felt like we’d arrived at a very dangerous time. I clenched and unclenched my fist.
“If you need help, just say the word. The mages of the Blue Tower can’t touch me.”
“I already checked the medal you’re carrying. I’ll let you know if we need anything.”
Ruin looked visibly relieved. He glanced toward where the other two were. Neon and Shinshia seemed to have finished their conversation and were walking back toward us.
After reuniting with Neon, we parted ways with the Ruin siblings and sat down on a nearby bench.
“How did the talk go?”
“It was… okay?”
Neon wore an unusually uncertain expression. I watched him with interest. There was definitely a strange current between those two. But it felt less like fresh, budding romance and more like the awkwardness of two people who had once been close and then separated.
He had always avoided talking about his past, so I hadn’t pressed him. But now it seemed like the right time to learn about Neon’s relationship with the Blue Tower. Depending on exactly what position he held here, we could adjust how we handled things. I looked at him quietly.
Neon seemed to understand what I was thinking. He gave a bitter smile and began to speak.
“You already know I’m from the Blue Tower, right?”
“I’ve heard it a few times.”
Friends and rivals… From what I understood, he’d grown jealous of Shinshia’s talent, run away from the Blue Tower, gotten involved with the Flame of Doom, and then devoted himself entirely to research. It was one of the first stories I’d heard from him, so it still stuck with me.
At my answer, Neon gave an embarrassed laugh and scratched his head.
“To be honest, even now I don’t really understand what I was thinking when I became a black mage.”
“Human emotions sometimes push us beyond the realm of reason.”
“You’re not wrong. Back then, I was desperate to get stronger, like something was chasing me.”
Still seated on the bench, Neon raised mana above his fingertip. The mana coalesced into an ice crystal and began to move with delicate precision. It was clear how much his skills had improved. The finely controlled crystal soon took the shape of a dragon. Neon clenched his fist, shattering it, then looked up at the sky.
“Shinshia and I have been friends since we were kids. Among the apprentice mages, the two of us stood out.”
“The other mages must have been jealous of you two.”
“Exactly. But Shinshia had the protection of being the Tower Master’s granddaughter. I was an orphan with no such shield.”
“Uh… Is this the part where I’m supposed to comfort you?”
“No need. Compared to the orphanage director who starved and beat us if we didn’t meet our quotas, the kids’ jealousy was child’s play. Once I started returning the damage they gave me, no one dared touch me again.”
Quite the chaotic childhood. Not sure what to say, I stayed silent. Neon paused for a moment as if recalling old memories, then continued.
“Back then, all I could think about was proving my worth. I never wanted to go back to the orphanage, so I couldn’t see anything else.”
“How did you end up becoming close with Shinshia?”
“I don’t even know. It just happened. We started talking, got to know each other. The kids who used to flatter her and stick to her side every day glared at me so hard.”
He shook his head as if remembering those days.
“At first, things were fine between us. But as the magic evaluations continued and I kept losing to her, I grew impatient.”
“So that desperation to win made you stop caring about the means?”
“That’s right. Then I happened to meet a black mage who tempted me, and I fell down that path.”
This time, he raised dark mana above his finger. The black power flickered like a precarious candle flame. When he flicked his hand, it vanished without a trace.
“With that power, I finally surpassed Shinshia in the evaluations. But the elders caught me using black magic. The moment they spoke, my mind went completely blank. I ran away in a panic and eventually accepted help from the black mage who had tempted me, joining the Flame of Doom.”
“How did you manage to escape?”
“The test site was outdoors. I fled into the forest, and at that exact moment, monsters went on a rampage. That’s how I got away.”
“What incredibly convenient timing.”
“Yeah. That black mage said he helped make it happen.”
If that was true, he was one vicious black mage. Thanks to him, I’d gained an excellent companion. But if those coincidences hadn’t lined up—if I hadn’t been there—Neon would have died in some nameless cave.
Suddenly, I grew curious about the identity of the black mage who had lured Neon down that path.
“Who was the black mage that tempted you?”
“A woman wearing a snake mask. From what I heard from the researchers during my time with the black mages, she was someone very high-ranking. I don’t know the details. She hid her appearance completely.”
“A snake mask… Similar to Rhinoceros and the other executives?”
“I’m not sure… I heard there are huge differences in power even among the Flame of Doom’s executives. She was probably stronger than Rhinoceros.”
Whoever she was, she clearly wasn’t ordinary.
“Well, that’s not important right now. To sum up my relationship with the Blue Tower—I’m the prodigal son who returned. And I came back with the incredible backing of Count Edenberg.”
“So deciding to come here was an act of courage on your part.”
“I’ve also become an officially recognized black mage acknowledged by the Holy Kingdom. And when I talked with Shinshia at the academy, I heard that my master has been looking for me this whole time.”
No wonder he hadn’t seemed awkward when he met Aquia. He had already prepared himself mentally. Thinking back on Aquia’s reaction earlier, I was glad he had come to see him. I didn’t know how the other mages of the Blue Tower would react, but at least Aquia and Shinshia had welcomed Neon warmly.
“So this is where you were.”
“Master?”
Right on cue, Aquia appeared with a kind smile and approached us. In one hand he carried a bag of cookies he seemed to have just bought.
“I wanted to treat my long-lost disciple and our honored guest. If it’s alright with you, would you come to my laboratory?”
“I don’t mind, but…”
“I’m fine with it. Let’s go. I want to hear more about the Blue Tower anyway.”
Neon hesitated at Aquia’s words and glanced at me, but I was actually glad. I had been planning to speak with Aquia—one of the Blue Tower’s elders I could actually trust—to confirm the full story I’d heard from Ruin.
“Shall we go then?”
“Hehe. I’ll lead the way.”
We followed behind Aquia as he guided us toward his laboratory.