Chapter 59
Chapter 59
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: Man of the Moment (2)
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Rishir didn't know much about the Gray Tower.
He had no precise idea which spirits resided there,
nor which mages called it home.
'No way... is it me they're talking about?'
Even so, he could vaguely tell.
The owner of the mysterious spirit.
A fifth-circle prodigy at a young age.
...
That Enna and Latsiel's chit-chat about "Kim" and "Choi" was referring to none other than himself.
-In this tower, the only guy who's that big a deal is me, Rishir, the greatest bastard in history.
It wasn't that he was trying to boast.
Context and flow existed for a reason.
-Don't tempt those two.
Rishir recalled Meltas's loaded words from before the investigation began.
He'd thought it was awe at his fatal charm, but it turned out to be a plea not to pull an "Uh, yeah, why?" in a situation like this.
So Rishir stayed silent.
Even if Meltas hadn't said anything, it wouldn't have been much different.
Folks, the guy you're desperately looking for is right here!
That's right! It's me, the one you were just totally ignoring!
So, what now!?
Rishir wasn't bold enough to stage that kind of provocative scene.
Especially not against people with power and status far beyond his own.
Above all, those two made him uncomfortable.
Enna, the Blue Tower Master, exuding icy precision like she was advertising "I'm all about frost magic."
Latsiel, the Green Tower Master, radiating elven vibes like she was hawking "Elf here."
Was there even a real investigation?
Talking to them would turn into an interrogation.
Of course!
Objectively, it was an opportunity not to miss.
The attention of Tower Masters, no less.
Unless it was another peer Master, anyone would welcome it.
If any other Gray Tower apprentice were in Rishir's shoes, they'd have gone, "I'm planning to stick with the Gray Tower for life. But hey, let's hear 'em out."
Even so.
Rishir decided to decline their interest.
His experiences had shown him just how conservative and exclusive the tower mages were.
In his current state, where they wouldn't even believe he was fourth-circle, showing his true power would just lead to "Situation: Gerhen" unfolding.
What's your family again?
Your school of thought?
Your master?
And you're claiming natural genius like that?
Aargh.
"Ah. What fine weather. Looks like rain might come."
He'd just raised the Gray Tower's favor to "Friendly."
Boosting other towers' favor could wait.
With his decision made, Rishir naturally played dumb.
Meltas, sensing Rishir's intent, gave a wry inner smile and addressed Master Enna.
"Master Enna, I'm sorry to say this to you after you've come all this way for our tower, but I can't grant that request. The person in question is currently avoiding meetings with outsiders."
"Even if that outsider is the Blue Tower Master?"
Tower mages held absolute pride in their affiliation, which often led to disdain for outsiders.
Here, "outsiders" meant "everyone except our tower."
Other towers were included.
'He exchanges with your Gray Tower, so he'll hardly refuse me, the Blue Tower Master?'
That was the implication in Enna's demeanor.
One corner of her mouth curled slyly, exuding aggressive leisure.
In truth, public prestige favored "blue" over "gray."
Blue mages were more active externally.
Gray leaned academic,
blue more profit-driven.
Normally, Meltas might have risen to the bait, knowing it didn't truly mean superiority in magic or scholarship.
Even they, who prized magic and learning above all, couldn't fully ignore social status.
But not this time.
"Yes. Even if that outsider is the Blue Tower Master."
Recalling Rishir's recent actions, Meltas replied with satisfaction.
As the two eyed each other with odd expressions,
"Enough of that. Time for answers to my question."
Latsiel cut in casually.
As if petty human rivalries were beneath her notice.
"..."
"..."
The elf's innate dominance, a cut above the arrogant tower mages.
The tension between them fizzled.
"The person's feelings may differ. Relay my words without stubbornness."
Enna left those words and departed.
Latsiel urged once more with a glance.
Meltas replied wearily.
"The mysterious spirit you mean—is it the blue wolf sniffing around the alchemy labs?"
"Yes."
"Then ask Master Didoa. Perrin follows her well."
Before Meltas finished, Latsiel had already turned and walked off.
Only Meltas and Rishir remained.
Rishir let out a scoffing laugh.
"Tower mages aren't that chummy with each other, huh?"
"As you saw, each tower has distinct traits and tendencies. Mingling 'ha ha ho ho' is no easy feat."
Well then.
Meltas lightened the mood and turned to Rishir.
"First, thanks for cooperating with the investigation despite the discomfort. On behalf of the tower, I thank you, Rishir."
"Aw, between us, right?"
"...I'm earnestly asking: refrain from that tone around other Masters. They might lose their reason."
"...You sound like a guide warning about danger zones."
"...Anyway, we've troubled you enough, so no more delays. Let's get to the main point. Rishir, as I said, we wish to appoint you as an honorary mage. What do you think?"
No need to think.
Honorary mage meant maximum rights with minimal duties.
For Rishir, who'd die fulfilling full mage obligations, it was ideal—the clear upgrade from his hoped-for supporter role.
"I'm thrilled."
"Unexpected answer in another sense. But positive, so we'll take it. The ceremony will be prepared surprisingly soon—brace yourself."
Meltas offered a handshake.
"Rishir, it's an honor to have you join our tower."
"The honor is mine."
They clasped hands and burst into laughter together.
Back at my lodgings, I reviewed future plans.
My prior goal of "settling in Bondales" was now just a matter of time, with the honorary mage position secured.
My aims had entered a new phase.
'Overload...'
Rights come with responsibilities.
The status I'd gained from the tower stemmed from my magic prowess.
To maintain and advance it, I needed to reclaim that magical ability and growth rate ASAP.
They indulged me now because I'd shown something—"Aw, our Rishir, do whatever!"—but if this lasted a month or a year?
Their Rishir could become just any Rishir.
So what I needed was to fully conquer overload and restore my magic base—
In other words, sufficiently strengthen my body.
Fortunately, I already had a solution.
"Hoo..."
Deep breath. Recall.
The moment I'd tamed sudden mana growth with Blue Breathing.
Check my body.
The mana surge back then had mostly integrated.
Despite lingering overload injuries and hasty adoption of Blue Breathing as a stopgap.
So now.
With injuries fully healed and Blue Breathing mastered, repeating it—what then?
"I can do this."
I was confident in perfectly controlling the rapid mana growth post-Normalization.
Thus, one conclusion.
'Normalization... as much as possible...'
I didn't know how far to reinforce my physical abilities.
Since I didn't know my mana ceiling.
So, train the body to excess. Beyond enough.
I set "excess" as "magic-equivalent level."
If my magic was level 5, raise martial arts to 5 too.
Dual class, they call it.
Inefficient beyond what Fienne and others feared.
It's dual class, but industry calls it trash char.
Two main stats? Pull the delete button.
But with my life on the line, I'd bear the inefficiency.
'I'm a mage, but if I don't raise strength, I die!'
Thus, maximum Normalization needed.
Experience showed mana growth always followed.
One snag.
'What about Gerhen?'
I hadn't used Normalization's power against him.
Nor likely subconsciously.
No alien potential from him.
Gerhen was a purebred bastard grown without dark magic aid.
So perhaps—
Normalization wasn't just "purifying alien energies."
'Villain Normalization...?'
My deduced conclusion.
Normalization of alien energies.
Normalization of villains.
Both eliminated negative influences on surroundings.
Plus.
Past cases fit.
Fienne, seeking a house as kin, bound to no mental interference on innocents.
The seductive succubus became ordinary human.
Tullan and maid dark mage: plans foiled, mere prisoners A and B.
'This is it.'
I nodded, tying up thoughts.
Policy clear.
'Use honorary mage status to hunt Normalization targets aggressively.'
First amid burning zeal—
Perrin's "gift" orb.
Rummaged neatly packed belongings.
"Found it."
Clear beyond pure—nearly transparent.
Like an air bubble in the atmosphere.
-Hack. Hack. Hack.
Suddenly recalled the wolf hacking up saliva-soaked hairballs.
"Hm..."
Honestly. Low expectations.
Anyone hyped by that production process is trouble waiting.
'Well, it's from her mouth, that's something.'
With the effort to make it—
I steeled myself and swallowed the orb whole.
Sat on bed's edge, closed eyes.
Focused all senses on body.
Bracing for changes from ingestion.
"...Huh?"
Eyes snapped open.
I urgently looked down.
"W-What's this...?"
My body was glowing.
Not faintly—emitting light like a glowstick.
The kind adventurers lament "Damn, if only Rishir were here!" in dark dungeons.
"...!"
I closed eyes again.
Something ominous stirred inside.
As the tower bathed in sunset hues.
High Priest Barodoros and his clerical group visited Rishir's quarters.
To check his condition one last time.
"...Come in. Don't be startled."
His knock response.
The priests' faces grew grave.
Had something gone wrong in the interim?
They hurriedly opened the door and entered.
"...Oh, Lord God."
Seeing Rishir, the priests made the sign of the faith—palm to left chest—and murmured.