Chapter 15
Chapter 15
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 15
Chapter Title: New Talent: Lua Polaris (2)
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Celestia, the Phantasmic Library.
This massive magical library was filled with countless secrets.
Even from my position managing it directly, I couldn't account for all of them.
Celestia had existed before I arrived, and every single item within it was connected to me somehow.
It was a library that seemed prepared solely for me.
Who could have created this library?
And what was its purpose?
There was only one way to resolve such questions.
"Lord Johan, this is too difficult..."
Collecting more spells, mastering them, and developing them further.
The first step toward that was to explore ways to project influence into the outside world.
Just like the magical tool currently held in the hands of the mage before me.
Lua Polaris.
I listened to the Blue Tower mage's explanation while continuously reading the real-time mana flow measurements.
I was tracking the signal from the magical tool Lua had created.
"I never expected it to succeed on the first try."
"...Y-yes."
"But the signal is even more unstable than I anticipated."
Ignoring Lua, who had her head bowed low, I stared at the numbers rapidly changing before my eyes.
Countless numbers floated in the air, constantly shifting in a chaotic landscape.
Visibility had long been sacrificed to pack in as much information as possible.
Thanks to that, I was the only one who could interpret the data.
In the end, all the complex work fell to me alone.
"The signal keeps appearing and disappearing. I still can't tell if it's a spatial issue or a problem with the formula itself."
"I did modify the formula as much as possible, just like you said..."
"Hmm. From what I can see, you seem to have skipped a line during the revision."
"Ugh."
"The tracking signal for pinpointing coordinates isn't registering."
As I spoke, I moved my fingers through the air.
Items in Celestia, the Phantasmic Library, lacked physical form.
The entire space was merely a mental realm.
However, that also meant I could directly interfere with the consciousnesses of the two people here.
Mental magic, 'Memory Imprint.'
This spell, which I created to preserve my own memories, allowed me to etch specific information into a target's consciousness.
Just associating a particular keyword would bring the desired information to mind perfectly.
Of course, understanding that information depended entirely on the individual's capabilities.
"Still, no need to be too discouraged. You're already exceeding my expectations."
In that sense, Lua wasn't bad-headed at all.
If I gave her ten instructions, she'd get at least four or five right, even if not nine.
With a bit more time and experience, she'd even be useful for research.
Above all, I appreciated how diligently she followed my orders more faithfully than anyone.
"R-Really?"
Only then did Lua seem somewhat comforted, poking her head forward with a hint of confidence.
I simply nodded quietly at her expression.
Hmm...
While Lua pondered silently, gazing at me, it was only for a moment.
Had something suddenly occurred to her?
Lifting the brim of her witch's hat, Lua spoke up.
"Oh, right. I got an invitation outside the tower."
"An invitation? Must be someone inspired by your published theory."
I'd heard about the invitation to Lua.
I assumed it was about her research.
However, what came from Lua's mouth was entirely different.
"It seems more because of the letters we've been exchanging."
"...Letters?"
"You told me to maintain some dignity as a mage, Lord Johan. So we've been sending academic letters back and forth..."
"......"
"And recently, I answered a few rather difficult questions."
Swish.
Having heard Lua's story, I stopped the hand moving through the air.
Why was that?
Her words gave me a bad feeling.
As if to amplify my suspicion, Lua continued.
"Thanks to that, they want me to interpret a newly discovered magical tome from some ruins."
"Interpreting a magical tome."
"Oh, and it's not just me! Other renowned mages are gathering too."
A complete interpretation of ancient magic by esteemed mages.
It sounded like an opportunity too good to pass up.
Ancient spells were priceless treasures coveted by most mages of this era.
To offer them without conditions...
Frankly, it wasn't easy to believe.
"For one, the invitation venue seems to be within the capital, and the invitation itself looks expensive, so it's probably not a prank."
"Yeah, not a prank."
"And even if we can't fully interpret the tome, I could bring the untranslated parts back to Celestia... It might help you too, Lord Johan."
From what I gathered, Lua had accepted the invitation with me in mind.
I pondered quietly as I listened to her.
How many acts of unmotivated kindness existed in the world?
Especially among mages, with their insular society, the chances were even slimmer.
At least, that's how I saw it.
I myself was only showing her favor because I saw her potential value.
"Lua Polaris."
"Yes."
So, I looked at the mage seated before me with serious eyes.
The possibility of real ancient magic existed to some degree.
But it didn't feel right.
At the very least, she needed minimal preparation before going.
"If it's a good opportunity, I won't refuse. I'll permit the checkout of one magical tome from the Second Archive."
"The Second Archive...?"
"Prepare one portable tome. I'll rewrite the formulas in it to match one from the archive."
Lua had no experience fighting other mages yet.
So, one countermeasure for combat.
And on top of that, I decided to add insurance.
"Also, finish the magical tool in development as quickly as possible."
"...The homework deadline just got shorter."
"Urgent assignments always have tighter deadlines."
Complete the communication spell as fast as possible.
That was my second plan.
Lua's face darkened slightly at the news, but that wasn't particularly important to me.
I didn't need sleep anyway.
* * * * * *
Two weeks had passed since Lua Polaris received the mysterious invitation.
During that time, she threw herself into crafting the magical tool day and night.
The master of Celestia had demanded faster work from her.
Was it thanks to Lua's efforts?
She succeeded in creating the tool using a low-grade magic stone.
A magical tool for communication with Celestia, the Phantasmic Library.
She had managed contact with Johan from outside the library.
"Lord Johan."
- ...
"But do we really need to talk for a full 24 hours a day?"
The result was the blue brooch pinned to Lua's collar.
Though it used a low-grade magic stone, the embedded mana was limited.
Maximum communication time per day: about eight hours.
Still, Johan seemed to view this success very positively.
Thanks to that, Lua could now hear his nagging even outside.
- "If it were Craton, I wouldn't worry like this. He'd handle it shrewdly on his own."
"...Ugh."
- "But you still need my guidance."
Inside the rattling carriage.
Lua gave a troubled smile as she listened to Johan's lecture.
Was it because he was an archmage who had lived several times longer than the tower's mages?
His nagging hurt several times more.
While Lua rode in the carriage, listening to Johan...
Screeech.
Soon, it stopped in front of a mansion.
"We've arrived at your destination, miss."
At the coachman's voice before the old mansion, Lua finally snapped out of it and stood.
She must have arrived while listening to Johan.
The large mansion visible through the window seemed to be the promised location on the invitation.
Lua peered out the window, then pulled out fare for the coachman.
"Thank you. Could you come back here around evening?"
"Of course. I'll return at the promised time."
After paying, as Lua stepped down, the coachman smiled and bowed.
Using a carriage wasn't cheap, but worth it considering the magical tome.
Clop, clop.
Once the carriage departed with the coachman, Lua headed toward the noticeably worn mansion.
"It looks quite old from the outside."
- ...
"But not just rundown—it has a luxurious feel."
The mansion on the invitation was old but carried a certain dignified air.
Like a vacation home of an ancient family.
As Lua approached with that thought, she soon encountered the mansion's servants.
Swish.
The elderly butler, spotting her first, bowed politely.
"Only those invited by the master may enter. Might I see your invitation?"
"Is this the card you mean?"
At the butler's courteous greeting, Lua pulled a card from her pocket and handed it over.
An ornate card depicting a jester.
The butler's eyes gleamed upon seeing it.
"...My apologies. You are an esteemed guest."
"So it is the right invitation. Could you guide me inside?"
"Certainly. We shall attend to you properly."
Confirming the card, he smiled and returned it to Lua.
She pocketed it again.
The smooth texture brushed her fingertips as she did.
She planned to keep the card until leaving the mansion.
"Please, come in. Everyone is waiting."
After confirming Lua had pocketed the card, the butler opened the mansion door and led her inside.
Step, step.
Lua followed the butler as he strode down the corridor.
Matching her pace to hers, perhaps from years of experience.
"Our master has always had a keen interest in magic. He has personally collected various magical tomes for a long time."
"A magic enthusiast, then."
"Yes. Especially the one he recently acquired—he treasures it dearly."
"A treasured item..."
"That's why we've gathered his esteemed friends, with whom he has exchanged insightful letters, for this occasion."
The butler spoke of the magical tome as he guided Lua.
A mansion lord interested in magic.
His rare collection.
And renowned mages he'd corresponded with.
Hearing this, Lua's anticipation grew.
'If he speaks of it this way, it must truly be a precious ancient spell.'
After leading the expectant Lua to a place, the butler flung open the tightly shut dining room door.
Creeeeak.
Beyond the opening door.
Lua spotted several mages seated at a long table.
"Who's that? A very young mage this time."
"Even so, is she really up to joining this gathering?"
"Oh, wait—didn't they say a remarkable newcomer appeared at the Blue Tower lately...?"
The mages in the parlor.
Each had a card pinned to their collar.
The butler, facing them, pointed to an empty seat at the table.
"Please, be patient a little longer. The master will greet you shortly."
As he spoke, the butler's eyes flicked to the card in Lua's pocket.
Among the cards in the mages' pockets, only the young Blue Tower mage bore the jester emblem.