Rumble!

With a thunderous boom, the air tore open and a gate appeared.

"Wait, hold on. Why's a gate showing up?"

I'd assumed that, like all the previous guests, she'd just pop in as a chat-style message.

But this? This looked like the real deal was about to step through in person.

Cold sweat beaded on my face—even after sprinting full-tilt for half a day without breaking a drop.

"...Is the constellation herself descending here?"

"...And Tower Lord of the Magic Tower is my dad's sponsor?"

Don't affirm it so brightly.

...That complaint circled in my throat ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠but never made it out.

The gate's words from beyond had frozen me stiff.

"Hmm. The air here's a bit stale."

That youthful, cheerful voice didn't match the old-man speech at all.

"Ahem. Excuse me."

The figure who emerged matched the voice—a girl who looked just as young.

Appearance-wise, anyway.

A petite girl in the classic fantasy wizard getup: oversized conical hat and robe.

But the dignity radiating from that tiny frame? Far from small.

For the first time witnessing a constellation's true form, I braced for crushing pressure that would choke my breath—

...It's more bearable than I expected?

—but it didn't quicken.

Last time, facing Witch of Eternal Sleep fused with Oh Chae-rin, it felt like my cells were ripping apart.

Yet here I was, face-to-face with the actual constellation beyond fusion, and it wasn't that bad.

"R-right?"

Makes sense. If there was an issue, we wouldn't have invited Tower Lord of the Magic Tower here to begin with.

Still, no room for full complacency.

I greeted the constellation, now fully inside the sanctuary.

"H-hi..."

"......"

She just stared up at me sullenly—did she even hear?

The height difference made it awkward; was it okay to look straight down?

Rebecca broke the heavy silence, bowing deeply.

"Thank you for accepting Messiah's invitation, great constellation. You must be tired from the long journey."

"Hmm. No need. What journey? When a dear friend calls, you come running. Anyway..."

Whoosh—

The Tower Lord of the Magic Tower's small body floated lightly upward.

Then she started circling me playfully.

"Hmm. Hm."

"......"

"Hmm. Huh... Oh ho?"

With odd hums, she began inspecting me.

Suddenly like a zoo animal, I looked flustered when—

—maternal instincts fired up, Hyun-sook sent an angry message.

But ignoring it, Tower Lord of the Magic Tower kept scanning me with serious eyes.

Then, finally—

"You look just like him!"

She clapped delightedly, beaming.

Startled by the sudden shout, I hesitantly asked,

"L-like... my mom?"

"No! Ridiculous! If you took after Hyun-sook, your eyes would be ugly! I mean, you look exactly like Hyun-min!"

Even amid the chaos, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠I let out a hollow laugh.

...Guess they're pretty close.

Otherwise, they wouldn't bicker so naturally.

Makes sense—she watched over her beloved husband, so they'd naturally be tight.

Awkward, I scratched my cheek.

"P-people say that a lot. More like Dad than Mom..."

"Not just looks. Your innate constitution reminds me of Hyun-min too."

"Constitution?"

"Yes. A vessel suited for the demonic path—or magic path, rather."

Still vague, I tilted my head when—

Snap!

Suddenly, Tower Lord of the Magic Tower grabbed my hand with her tiny one.

Ignoring Hyun-sook's fresh reaction, Tower Lord of the Magic Tower gazed at me with sparkling eyes, voice thrilled.

"Ever thought of walking the path of a true mage?"

"M-mage?"

"You're blessed to excel above average in anything, but your magic talent is unmatched!"

"S-suddenly saying that..."

I'd heard Dad call her an eccentric plenty, but not this level.

Anyway, becoming a mage now? No way. I politely declined.

"You're not my sponsor, so how could I..."

"When did I say I'd teach you myself? Soon, a model teacher like from 青出於藍 will be assigned as your second sponsor."

"Huh?"

A beat late, the meaning hit. My eyes widened.

"That teacher you mentioned... is Dad—"

Rumble!

Sudden thunder swallowed my words.

"...Huh?"

Brain freeze for a second.

Frozen, a small meteor hurtled from the clear sanctuary sky.

Boom!

It crashed into the arena, kicking up dust.

The ground shook slightly—no real damage.

But "Why do guests keep piling up..." my heart raced like I'd seen a nuke.

I knew exactly who War Incarnate was.

And we were acquainted.

"Sorry, Messiah."

Thud—

Heavy, disciplined steps emerged from the dust.

"Overslept. Late."

Muscles bulged under thick trench coat.

Mountainous build.

Marble-white hair and face like a statue.

Overwhelming presence mocking system protection.

...Not enough with Dad's sponsor—now Mom's too.

Never dreamed I'd see two true forms in one day.

As awe hit, Rebecca bowed to War Incarnate.

"Thank you for accepting Messiah's invitation, great constellation. You must be tired from the long journey."

"Ah, Rebecca. Long time. Tough serving a brat like Messiah."

"Not at all."

"Enough. Even as fellow constellations, Messiah, you're no match for me yet."

...They seemed close(?) too.

Well, Mom and War Incarnate started as agent-sponsor.

Now equals, but still.

Watching them chat like old pals, I recalled War Incarnate truly grieving Mom's sacrifice in the final battle with Myeoljae.

Good they can reunite like this.

Heart warmed, unease gone, I approached casually.

"Hi."

"Hm..."

Instead of replying, War Incarnate smirked faintly.

"I remember your last words to me back then."

"I said..."

"You hoped we'd reunite in another world. Sincerely."

"It happened, just like I wanted."

"Same here."

He offered his hand first.

We chuckled, gripping tight—then he looked surprised at my strength.

"You'll pass out. That really you I knew? Grown to a decent level."

"Thanks mostly to Throw Eye you gave me."

"Riper, smoother talker too."

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

Only met once, but it was special.

As nostalgia welled—

"Hm..."

War Incarnate leaned in, staring piercingly.

That all-seeing gaze from before.

...All constellations voyeurs?

Like with Tower Lord, inspected repeatedly today.

"Uh, um..."

Burdened, I shrugged, but he ignored, circling, poking my shoulder, kneading my arm.

Her warning ignored again. Retracting his gaze, War Incarnate nodded knowingly.

"As expected."

"Expected?"

"Like your ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠mother, you're born with martial bones."

"M-martial bones?"

"Yes. Focus on martial arts, and you'll surely be the strongest—"

"—Martial arts can rot! Magic, obviously! What martial bones nonsense!"

Bursting in yelling: Tower Lord of the Magic Tower.

Interrupted blessing time, War Incarnate glared.

"Magic? Laughable. Holding a grudge against Messiah's son? Don't waste talent in the gutter."

"Gutter...! Don't judge this man with your shallow views! Martial arts can't unlock 1% of his potential!"

"Martial arts... Thought you tiny, but eyes like knotholes too. This fine muscle, and you want fire tricks? Magic tower cult rumors true?"

"You brute..."

"Better brute than cult."

Groooar!

Their auras clashed overhead.

Caught in the deadly standoff, I felt enlightenment.

"...Are all constellations this childish?"

Rebecca mediated the elementary—no, constellation—fight.

"Sorry to interrupt your chat, but... time to start."

Her calm voice ended the sparks.

The two glared till the end, then "Hmph." turned away.

So childish, I sweat bullets.

"Can't ruin Messiah's invite."

"Came to see how strong her son got. Gotta watch. Finish talk later."

Where's my say?

Resigned chuckle.

Arms crossed, they turned serious.

"Honestly, Messiah should change title to 'All-Time Son-Bragger'. Son-love borders on madness."

"Agreed. If half that affection went to her husband..."

I first distributed the 50 points from the Phase 4 curriculum reward shop.

12 points each stat (60 total).

Remaining 2 to lowest: Vitality.

Still can't break 700?

Uncomfortable, staring at status when—

Thud.

Quiet footsteps from behind tickled my ear.

Even after just a month, can't ignore our time together.

Could tell Rebecca by footsteps alone now.

But "...Huh?"

Turning, her look was worlds different.

No maid outfit—full plate armor hugging her form.

Silver longsword gleaming in hand.

Eyes locked on the approaching warrior woman.

I swallowed hard.

"This what I think it is... right?"

"What perfect symmetry..."

First day, sparred her for "skill test."

Atmosphere now leagues heavier.

She stopped at distance, sharpening her aura.

Ready to charge anytime.

"Phase 5 is final check."

"......"

"Apply everything learned fully."

"Unlike a month ago, fully geared now."

"Yes. This time—"

Shing.

Aim straight, she declared.

"—I'm going all out."

Her resolute words triggered—

Doubting my eyes, I muttered blankly.

"...Mom set this, right?"

"Any normal kid would've turned delinquent."

Anyway.

No self-healing: blades draw blood.

No unlimited mana: pace carefully.

Real combat setup.

Not sparring—life-or-death duel.

Accepting that, shing.

Drew pre-issued longsword, slowly raising bloodlust.

Gazes clashed, heavy tension brewing.

A breeze crossed between us when—

Bang!

No signal needed—we lunged simultaneously.

Rotating mana surging, lines appeared before my eyes charging form.

Before Rebecca's eyes unleashing killing intent.

Skill predictions.

And they screamed: no blind spots.

No escape.

Just clash head-on!

Miraculously synced thoughts—

Clang!

Blades met fiercely in swift arcs.

Sparks flew from contact, air quaking uncontrollably.

"What a fool I am."

From the circular arena stands, watching the bout, War Incarnate muttered unexpectedly.

Tower Lord of the Magic Tower, two seats away, shot a what? glare.

"When Messiah was my agent, she gave her life to save her world."

His voice thickened with reminiscence and regret.

"Like me, gripping my sword to the end for the empire. From then, my constellation duty was fulfilled. Vowed no lingering for the lower world without her."

His eyes on the arena held—

"Yet now, departed from this life, I feel lingering again."

A young human pouring everything into full-power swings.

"Want to confirm that guy's potential myself—how far it'll stretch."

"Not even your agent."

"That's why it stings more. Should've never looked."

"Empty your mind humbly. Magicless you as his sponsor? Useless."

"...Still pushing magic after that?"

Absurd, War Incarnate nodded at the arena.

By now—

Me and Rebecca far from center.

Somehow at the right corner, trading blows.

Me advancing, her retreating.

"Ah, ruins my magic-specialized claim."

Tower Lord grumbled amid pure admiration.

Third-party eyes confirmed: even from balanced, now me pressing.

"Talent in martial or magic— one thing clear."

Grinning teeth-bared excitedly, War Incarnate as my crescent strike—

"He'll surpass his parents soon."

Clang!

—shattered Rebecca's defense-focused blade.

Long exhale.

-Tch.

Carefully pressing longsword tip to Rebecca's throat, I said, faint smile.

"Surrender?"

"......"

"Or round 2?"

Month of beatings from her— this cockiness fine?

Seriously pondering, Rebecca finally spoke.

"My defeat."

She slowly pushed the blade away with a finger; I sheathed willingly.

"Could go more. Shame."

"It's fine."

"Tired, Rebecca?"

"No need."

Her straightforward reply hit me.

This was the sanctuary's final curriculum.

"Rebecca..."

"Family training ends here."

Her lips curved softly.

Not a smirk.

"You've worked hard till now, great son of Messiah."

The first clear smile on her face.