Chapter 18
Chapter 18
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 18
Chapter Title: The Mage from the Magic Tower
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I had stepped out into the corridor, absentmindedly heading to the garden, when I spotted an unfamiliar beastkin approaching from the far end. I quickly ducked out of sight.
Come to think of it, yesterday—
"Today, a chimpanzee from the Magic Tower is coming to measure Ed's mana."
Why had Billy's words from last night only just come back to me now? Sure enough, the stranger matched his description perfectly—a chimpanzee through and through, to anyone who saw him.
He clearly had a human form, but there was something about him that just screamed chimpanzee. His jet-black hair, large nostrils, slightly protruding mouth, and imposing build gave him away as a chimpanzee beastkin.
Completely hidden behind the pillar, I peeked out cautiously, only to jerk my head back in with a start.
'Did he see me?'
I could already walk the corridors without much need to hide anymore, but something about this mage rubbed me the wrong way.
"Eek!"
I took a moment to catch my breath behind the pillar, blinking once—and suddenly, there he was, right in front of me. My heart plummeted, and a scream escaped me before I could stop it.
"A sheep, huh?"
Since he was a guest, I tried to greet him politely, but the mage—who had been scanning me up and down—crossed his arms and spat out a cold remark.
'What did I do wrong?'
Why was he acting like that when we were meeting for the first time?
"Why's a sheep hanging around here?"
He jabbed a finger at me while turning to the butler, his tone dripping with displeasure.
"This is one of our important guests. Please show some respect."
"Oh, is that so?"
His face, which had looked ready to pick a fight at any second, suddenly shifted into a practiced social smile.
"An important guest, you say? My apologies. I'm Kopen Henji from the Magic Tower."
I stared blankly at the thick hand he extended toward me.
"Ah, yes. Nice to meet you."
Hiding my reluctance, I mustered a similar social smile in return. But I could tell.
This mage didn't like me.
I had no idea why, but judging from remarks like "A sheep, huh?" and his arrogant gaze, he seemed like a carnivore supremacist.
I'd heard there were beastkin like that sometimes.
I'd only ever lived in Sheep Territory, so I didn't know much about it, but apparently some claimed superiority because carnivores ruled as apex predators.
They'd intimidate or provoke herbivores while passing through their territories, or rob visiting herbivores in carnivore lands, causing all sorts of trouble.
Getting tangled up with one sounded like nothing but bad news. Just look at the way he was eyeing me—with a veneer of politeness masking subtle disdain.
'He's gross. Better steer clear.'
I'd just hole up in my room and play with Mimo until he left.
"Well then."
His back, as he gave a curt greeting and headed to Ed's room with the butler, grated on my nerves something fierce.
Knock knock.
"Young Master, the mage from the Magic Tower has arrived."
"Come in."
Ed, who had been sitting on the terrace devouring sweet hotcakes and kicking his legs back and forth, stopped abruptly and replied.
Kopen entered through the door, placing one hand politely over his chest as he introduced himself.
"It's an honor to meet you, Young Master. I'm Kopen Henji, a mage from the Magic Tower."
"Pleased to meet you. I'm Ed Rub."
Ed, now quite accustomed to introducing himself as Ed Rub, extended his small hand. Kopen grasped it with both of his, bowing repeatedly in greeting.
"Ooh, even this brief contact lets me feel your vast mana."
"Is that so?"
The butler's proud tone brought a faint blush to both of Ed's cheeks.
Kopen knelt on one knee, closed his eyes, and placed a hand on Ed's chest—to sense the flow of mana from the body's core.
Truth be told, since the great mage Billy Rub had already verified the boy, there was no real need for him to go to such lengths.
But who knew? Putting in the effort might yield some unexpected reward.
When Kopen finally opened his eyes after a few seconds, they were wide with astonishment.
"You're still young and haven't used magic before, so your mana control isn't smooth yet, but this is more than enough talent to become a Magic Tower mage."
"All done?"
Kopen paused, having been puffing up with pride as if discussing his own child's results. Ed's nonchalant response caught him off guard.
He didn't seem impressed at all by the prospect of becoming a Magic Tower mage.
'If Uncle's that great a mage, of course I'd have talent too.'
Ed, whose self-love mirrored his uncle's perfectly, had long since assumed he could join the Magic Tower.
Kopen gazed at him with eyes burning in awe.
'As expected of the Rub Family heir! He's not even excited about entering the Magic Tower!'
When Kopen was a child, he'd strutted around arrogantly upon learning of his own magic talent, and even after being hired by the Tower, his pride had been immense.
Feeling outright respect for the boy's vastly different reaction, Kopen wanted to linger in the mansion a bit longer.
He hadn't even seen Family Head Billy Rub yet, after all, and leaving now felt like a waste.
But with no excuse to stay, he had to leave the room with regret weighing on him. Each step away from the mansion felt heavier.
"Butler! Mary's quit in the kitchen...!"
A maid came rushing up and dragged the butler off, leaving Kopen to exit alone.
What caught his eye just as he was about to leave the mansion was that sheep from earlier—the so-called important guest.
'Even a Magic Tower mage and carnivore like me gets this treatment, so why's some pathetic sheep so important?'
It was a completely warped way of thinking, one he himself failed to notice, and before he knew it, he found himself approaching the sheep.
"Hey."
Tired from playing with Mimo, I sat in one corner of the garden, admiring the flowers. Quite some time had passed, so I figured the mage must have left by now and let my guard down.
Lounging lazily in the sunlight, gazing at the blooms, a large shadow suddenly fell over me.
Wondering who was blocking the warm rays, I looked up to find the mage from earlier standing beside me, still wearing that haughty expression.
"Hey."
I stood to meet his eyes at his call, and since no one was watching, he apparently saw no need to keep up appearances—frowning as he spoke in a displeased tone.
"Why are you an important guest?"
"Pardon?"
"Just curious."
At least he wasn't showing his true colors completely, which suggested he had some minimal sense. After pondering how to respond, I gave a straightforward answer.
"Because I'm an important beastkin."
There was no need to spill the family's secrets to some unrelated outsider.
It was true that I was important, so that's what I said—but Kopen took it as mockery, his face flushing red with anger.
"Hah, you don't even have any mana. Just your average herbivore."
"Does having mana make someone an important guest? Someone ordinary-looking can still be remarkable."
He still didn't like my answer. The single raised eyebrow said it all about his discomfort.
Whatever. He seemed done with his business and on his way out, so I gave a casual greeting and started to leave.
"No, wait a sec!"
But suddenly, Kopen snatched my arm, yanking me toward him as he hissed in a low voice. It was almost funny how he kept it quiet in case someone overheard.
"You know, you look familiar now. What was your name again?"
"I never told you my name. And let go of my arm."
That was when it happened.
As if realizing something, he let out a hollow chuckle, then flashed a sleazy grin.
"The wastrel lady of the Morton Family?"
How did he know?
Was Lami notorious enough for her face to be that well-known?
Kopen acted like he'd just found the perfect excuse to harass me, all because I was the Morton Family's troublemaking lady.
"I don't know why you're here, but if you're deceiving the Rub Family Head, you'd best stop. He's not someone a wastrel like you can just mess with."
"I'm not deceiving anyone, and you've finished your business, so please leave."
My patience was wearing thin.
"Even if I expose what kind of beastkin you are, you'll still be an 'important guest'?"
For some reason brimming with confidence, the chimpanzee switched to an aggressive stance, pressing me.
Ah, why was he doing this?
Apparently, the extremists among carnivore supremacists despised herbivores and couldn't wait to bully them—and this chimp seemed to be exactly that type.
'What an idiot.'
If I were a herbivore supremacist, I sure wouldn't act this stupid.
"Still an important guest. Leave while I'm asking nicely."
"And if I don't? Will I get to see some of that famous mischief of yours?"
Now he was openly grinning and provoking me. I let out a quiet sigh and glanced around.
If this chimp lost it and got violent, there was no one nearby—so I'd have to protect myself.
"Hey? Wanna see or not?"
At that moment, he poked my forehead with his finger, smirking with one corner of his mouth curled up.
Poke.
I'd endured enough.
If he wanted to see mischief that badly, I'd give him a proper show.