The Tower Master's Proposal

The golden pigeon seal. Kim Jehyun was well aware of what it was.

'The emblem of the Royal Club.'

It was a seal granted only to a select few within the Magic Tower.

―Royal Club? What's that?

Alkasha's question prompted Jehyun to explain in detail.

'It's like a badge issued to the highest echelons in the Magic Tower. With that, you can go up and down all the floors without taking the Ascension Tower exams.'

―What? Something like that exists?

Alkasha sounded genuinely shocked. The moment Jehyun heard that, he thought of the dragon's legacies. It would be incredibly useful—no need to take the Ascension Tower exams; every time he advanced a stage, he could head straight for the legacies.

'Yeah. And that's not all.'

Jehyun added more details about the seal. Holding it meant massive discounts on facility usage fees and purchases anywhere in the Magic Tower, VIP treatment everywhere you went, the privilege of residing in the top floors, access to a personal lab and training room, and ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠even the Infinite Library—the Magic Tower's treasure trove. There were countless other perks besides.

That was why those who possessed the golden pigeon seal were called the Royal Club.

The holders included the Tower Master himself, archmages at the pinnacle, leaders of ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠major factions, heads of large departments, or those honored with honorary positions for contributions to the Tower.

And now, the Tower Master was offering one to Jehyun under his own authority. It was an extraordinarily generous gesture.

"From the look on your face, you seem to know what this is."

Tower Master Choi Hanseom grinned and continued.

"You might not know this, but only 100 people out of the hundreds of thousands inside and around the Tower can hold one. What do you say? I'd like to give this to you."

"You're not just handing it over for free... Is there something you want from me?"

Jehyun knew the seal would be a huge boost to his growth. He wanted to snatch it up, but he couldn't. It didn't feel like a free gift.

"Hahaha. Sharp as ever. You're right. I have a proposal for you. I don't have many seals left to give under my authority, so it's hard to just hand one over."

"May I ask what kind of proposal?"

Jehyun met the Tower Master's eyes steadily, inquiring about the offer. The Tower Master smiled faintly at Jehyun, who wasn't getting swept up in his pace.

'Quick on the uptake, and great emotional control too.'

He'd tried to warm Jehyun up before getting to the point, but such shallow tactics didn't work on him. From the Tower Master's perspective, setting aside his magical talent, Jehyun was just a kid not even twenty yet. To already possess such composure—it was simply astonishing.

"It's nothing else. How about becoming my disciple? If that's too much, we could start as direct protégé."

"……!"

The Tower Master's proposal was shocking. Over decades, he'd taken only five disciples. Countless mages in the Tower dreamed of becoming one. If they knew Jehyun got this offer, they'd go mad with envy.

But Jehyun's answer was set.

'I have Alkasha. And I'm inheriting dragon powers.'

Given time, he'd naturally surpass even the Tower Master. Joining under him would bring benefits, but at the cost of being bound by ceremonies and formalities—meaning Jehyun would lose control of his own time.

'The seal's tempting, but better not if it ties me to the Tower.'

With his resolve firm, Jehyun rejected the offer.

"Heh heh, I never imagined I'd be turned down like this."

The Tower Master seemed slightly flustered by the refusal. He hadn't expected a flat no.

"Fine. How about this? Perform just five missions in the Tower's name. Then I'll give you the seal."

"……!"

Jehyun was startled by the new proposal. It was a huge concession.

He looked into the Tower Master's eyes. No hidden agenda seemed to lurk there.

―This Tower Master seems pretty hooked on you.

Alkasha chuckled amusedly. The Tower Master recognized Jehyun's value. He was offering perks to keep him from leaving the Tower. Plus, with the current unrest in the factions, there were real requests needing Jehyun's help.

'A mission too?'

Jehyun's eyes sparkled. He'd planned to accept anyway, and now it came with a mission bonus.

Hiding his delight, he replied to the Tower Master.

"Yes, sounds good. When the Tower Master asks like this, of course I'll follow."

"Hahaha. Thank you. I've been in a foul mood lately, but you've brightened it right up."

The Tower Master laughed genuinely, pleased that Jehyun accepted.

Seeing that, Alkasha muttered in disbelief.

―Heh, you were gonna say yes anyway, but you frame it like you're accepting for my face. Grabbing the mission and goodwill too. Getting craftier by the day.

'This is what they call social life.'

Jehyun smirked inwardly.

* * *

Lately, the Magic Tower's atmosphere was sour due to shadowy forces within. The internal community buzzed only with talk of them.

Amid the chaos from the shadowy forces, mages' attention shifted to Jehyun.

4th Circle. Double casting. Interest in his achievements surged again.

As eyes gathered on his 4th floor Ascension exam, Jehyun reviewed his battle with Kim Manseok.

'What if I'd used Dragon Fear more aggressively?'

That was his biggest regret. The +50 Mental stat from the mission was more potent than expected.

Previously, manifesting Dragon Horn or spamming Dragon Fear drained mental power hugely.

But back at his dorm, training revealed something: With the Mental stat, he could now use both simultaneously without much strain.

'Wasn't sure how it'd work on a 6th Circle either.'

So he'd conserved it for counters and ambushes.

But if he'd trusted his dragon powers and himself more from the start, the fight could've been more efficient.

A side effect of rapid growth: No time for objective self-assessment.

'Just got outpowered by 6th vs. 4th firepower. Didn't know what full aggressive use could've done.'

A smile tugged at Jehyun's lips. Reviewing the battle brought new insights. He was gaining objective grasp of his powers faster.

―Good sign. Fully digesting your strength will be the stepping stone to the next stage.

Jehyun nodded at Alkasha's words—

Bzzz.

His smartphone rang.

'Who?'

Jehyun checked the caller.

[Phoenix Faction Kim Sinhho]

'The branch chief?'

He tilted his head and answered.

"Got it? I'll come right away."

At the good news from Kim Sinhho, he shot to his feet.

* * *

Clatter.

The tea Kim Sinhho personally poured wafted a fragrant aroma.

"Nice scent."

"Right? Marigold flower tea. My favorite lately."

Kim Sinhho smiled warmly at Jehyun's comment.

Over tea time, they lightly shared recent updates.

"Never imagined you'd take them all solo and win."

The talk soon turned to the irregular dungeon.

"Got lucky."

"Haha, no need for humility. Everyone knows luck doesn't cut it there."

Jehyun just smiled faintly.

―He's thinking 'those guys were pushovers, barely a warm-up' while pretending modest. So annoying. Am I ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the only one?

'Yup, just you.'

―Grr, you incarnate of pretense! Should expose your true face to the world!

Jehyun chuckled inwardly at Alkasha's outburst.

As they bantered mentally, Kim Sinhho stood.

"Ah, then I'll show you what I mentioned."

He went to his desk, opened the safe beside it, and brought a well-packaged flat box to Jehyun.

"This is the item."

"Feels pretty potent."

"Right? Go ahead and check."

Jehyun opened the box.

Click.

The lid lifted, revealing the contents.

―Oh, nice craftsmanship.

Alkasha admired the item inside.