Chapter 204
Chapter 204
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: Horse's Doom
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Gray Magic Tower Lord, Wandering Star Remier.
She replayed the conversation she'd just had with former Master Melthas.
Before doubting Master Melthas's intellect, she decided to generously doubt her own ears first.
Clearly.
Master Melthas had spoken of someone named Rishir like that.
"He's a new friend who joined the Magic Tower this year."
"A friend with innate talent who reached the 5th Circle at an astonishing speed—you'll surely take an interest in him, Tower Lord."
Hmm.
The girl in gray snorted briefly and nodded firmly.
Indeed.
There's no way my ears could be wrong.
"..."
Then what the hell?
The girl in gray furrowed her youthful brow and looked up at the elderly man with braided hair.
"Melthas. I'm starting to genuinely worry about your condition."
"Pardon? Tower Lord, what do you—"
"You didn't feel anything from that conversation just now?"
"...Ah!"
Melthas finally realized something, his eyes widening.
The girl in gray clicked her tongue and shook her head.
Yes. Finally, some proper sense—
"Rishir, just to check, did you skip the 6th Circle by any chance?"
"Pardon? Is that even possible?"
"How would I know! That's why I'm asking you!"
"Well... I did properly go through the 6th Circle to reach where I am now, but—"
"Hmm. Got it."
Problem solved!?
Melthas looked at her with that expression.
"..."
The girl in gray made a face like she'd heard a disastrously bad joke.
Now she couldn't even figure out where to start critiquing.
Not liking that feeling, the girl in gray decided not to dwell deeply on their conversation.
"Um—..."
Then.
Rishir cautiously spoke to Remier.
"..."
Rishir called cautiously, but the Gray Magic Tower Lord didn't respond.
She merely rested her chin on her hand, observing Rishir with those gray eyes.
To show interest in someone while radiating utter indifference.
Those dealing with Tower Lord Remier often felt, at times, like they weren't equal beings but mere experimental materials or specimens.
Surprisingly, there was no displeasure in it.
It's fine like this.
The girl had the power to make that doll-like impression—with its spoiled, arrogant air—feel justified.
"No matter how I look at it, it's fascinating."
After intently observing Rishir for a while, the girl in gray finally spoke.
"Where on earth did such a mysterious creature come from?"
"Which part are you referring to—"
Rishir asked in response to her words.
"That's your true form, right?"
"If it's not a philosophical question... yes?"
"You're not using magic or Blue Breathing to keep looking young?"
"No...?"
"Age?"
"Nineteen this year."
"Twenty-nine?"
"Pardon?"
As if fitting a newly discovered specimen to standard specs—
Her words carried a sense of forcing an answer.
"Remier."
Palrag interjected then.
His bushy beard twitched, forming a smug smile.
"What's your first impression of Rishir? Come on, say something."
"..."
The girl in gray scowled as if her pride was hurt.
Then spoke reluctantly.
"Impressive. Reaching the 7th Circle at that age."
"And?"
"What?"
"Is that all for your impression?"
"What, should I compose a poem full of awe? Write a paper? Reaching the 7th Circle at that age is impressive. What more do you want?"
"Hmm... so that's it... that's all you have to say about Rishir..."
The two old men exchanged glances and raised their eyebrows.
The girl in gray recoiled at the sight.
"What? Did you all eat something bad? Cut it out. This mysterious creature's getting annoyed because of you."
Anyway.
The girl in gray looked back at Rishir as she said that.
"I heard you sniffed out a black mage hiding in our Magic Tower and got appointed Honorary Mage for it?"
"Yes."
"Finding a black mage who'd gone all-in on hiding before they could act publicly. Got quite a few tricks up your sleeve?"
The girl in gray beckoned Rishir.
Rishir barely grasped the meaning of the gesture.
'No way, adjust position so she can pat my head easily?'
As Rishir bent down, the girl rose on tiptoe and patted his head.
"Very good. I'll praise you personally."
"A-An honor...?"
The girl patted his head while praising his achievement.
Rishir strained to accept the situation as an honor.
"You seem clueless, so I'll tell you: my praise holds tremendous value."
"I-Is that so?"
Rishir could tell from Melthas and Palrag's reactions that it was true.
The two stared at the praising girl in shock.
"Well, having to say it out loud means it's worthless to you. Can't be helped. Name one thing you want."
"Pardon?"
"I'm saying I'll top my praise with a reward. I'll grant most things, so don't hold back."
"No—I'm fine. I've already received plenty from the Magic Tower."
"Like what?"
"The Tower accepted a nobody like me and treated me as one of their own. Treatment no other tower would give. Especially—"
Rishir glanced at Melthas before continuing.
"Master Melthas's grace toward me is beyond words. For me, not disappointing my benefactor Master Melthas, who took me in, is satisfaction enough."
Oh.
Ooh!!!
The braided-beard elder suddenly exclaimed.
A reaction like feeling an elixir's effect.
Indeed, vitality suddenly bloomed on his face, making him look decades younger.
Crack—
His back, bowed before the two great mages, straightened.
Crude, but.
I'll strut a bit here.
Melthas cleared his throat at Palrag's envious gaze.
Remier looked at the two pitifully and spoke.
"You know opportunities to ask someone like me don't come often? I don't repeat myself. If you're just being humble, it's not too late—speak now."
"I'm living a fulfilling life as is. Thanks entirely to the title of Honorary Mage of the Tower. So right now, nothing comes to mind. If I ever need the Tower Lord's help later, may I ask then?"
"...Hah!"
Even bent down, Rishir's eye level was higher than the girl's.
The girl looked up at Rishir and chuckled.
"Talk about an old soul."
You're one to talk?
Rishir barely swallowed the retort rising toward the girl before him.
"That power at that age. Must be hard not to get cocky. You're one tough nut. Melthas, you picked up something amazing."
"Ahem. Ahem!"
Regretting her words at the elder's shoulders soaring skyward, she continued.
"Fine, whatever. Wait till you think of something you want? Got it. Cocky, but I'll allow it specially. But separately, you should know this."
The girl looked not at Rishir but into the distance.
"After now passes, who knows when another chance comes—even I don't."
Rishir's expression flickered at her meaningful demeanor.
This person, no way?
"Tower Lord, may I ask one thing?"
"Sure. Ask."
"Are you planning to leave the Magic Tower again soon?"
"No?"
"Phew."
"I'm thinking of leaving now?"
"Wait—"
Rishir's shock showed plainly on his face.
He looked at the Tower Lord with the same face he'd give a master.
That is, the face for looking at a hopeless case.
The girl in gray merely shrugged indifferently.
"Feels like I've seen everything worth seeing—why stick around?"
She said to Rishir.
Those eyes, sparkling with interest at first sight of him, were now dulling plainly.
A capricious look perfectly explaining the reason for her aimless wandering life.
"Ha..."
Palrag shook his head at Remier's demeanor.
"No matter how much time passes, that sickness where you die without stimulation shows no sign of improving. If anything, it's worsening."
Stimulation addiction.
Palrag, who knew Remier well from long acquaintance, described her personality that way.
She moved solely by interest, showing no lingering attachment or curiosity for what failed to provide it.
Palrag and Melthas knew words were meaningless to her now.
What could change her mind wasn't a thousand words, but something tangible that stimulated her with novelty.
"..."
"..."
That was why meaningful smiles appeared on Melthas and Palrag's faces.
"Are you sure about that?"
"Huh?"
"That you've seen everything worth seeing."
Their gazes naturally turned to Rishir.
Following them, Remier looked at Rishir.
She let out a small laugh.
"What, you want me to uncover the secrets of that guy's power now? Relax. That stuff reveals itself with time."
All this conversation happened right in the middle of the Magic Tower grounds.
Yet passing students didn't notice the Tower Lord's presence.
A powerful perception hindrance spell had erased the girl in gray from their world.
In that state, Remier turned to leave.
"Hey!!!"
A voice stopped Remier.
Remier unconsciously turned toward the voice.
There, a blue-haired woman with wolf ears and tail was running over.
The flashy entrance drew Remier's interest, but it didn't last.
Inferring her identity from the ears and tail.
Beastkin.
It was far too ordinary to hold the capricious Tower Lord's attention.
As Remier turned again—
"...Wait."
She narrowed her eyes and looked at the woman once more.
"Why is there spirit energy from a beastkin—"
That was when the woman launched herself mercilessly at Rishir.
Thud!
And—
"Ack!"
Rishir, hit by the woman, fell backward.
In that position, the woman began rubbing her body all over Rishir wildly.
Hiiiing!
Hiiiing!
Her tail shook violently, expressing ecstasy with all its might through pleased sounds.
How much time passed like that.
"..."
The tail's movement slowed—
The woman slowly rose from atop Rishir.
Her expression was dyed in deep self-loathing.
Rishir said, looking at her.
"Perin. Long time no see. How've you been?"
"..."
What should she say.
Perin mumbled.
Soon, her response—
"Gueh—"
Came out as a pearl.
"..."
Her feet, which had been striding away from the Magic Tower without regret, were now rooted to the spot like stakes.