Chapter 113
Chapter 113
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 113
Chapter Title: Strike While the Iron is Hot
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Kenyon spoke, his expression a strange mix of joy and bewilderment.
“Well done.”
Just two words. But they were packed with a multitude of emotions. Lee Si-woo smiled brightly in response.
“Thank you. It would have been difficult without the Tower Master's full support.”
“My support…”
Who could possibly kill the master of a magic tower with the support of just one 5th Circle and one 4th Circle magician?
Allen? Isabelle?
No, they wouldn't even come close.
If he had to name someone, maybe a 6th Circle magician like Kenyon himself?
But Lee Si-woo was a 3rd Circle Expert.
A fledgling who had become a magician less than a year ago.
It was an unprecedented achievement, an event that would be talked about for a long, long time.
‘People will now put Lee Si-woo on the same level as Allen. And Isabelle. No… since Isabelle is Si-woo’s lover… they might even consider Si-woo to be above Allen.’
A moment.
It had been a brief lapse, a small opening.
An opening that Autoreu, that bastard’s master, had forcibly created.
But that opening, which had seemed so small, had now become an impossibly large hole.
So large that he couldn't fill it, even if he wanted to.
‘A misstep. I should have dealt with him first… Heh, no. Judging it coolly, can I even call it my misstep? This isn't so much my mistake as it is that bastard being an anomaly beyond my comprehension.’
Kenyon gazed at Lee Si-woo, who sat before him as comfortably as if he were visiting a friend’s house, with cold eyes.
Originally, he had planned to dispose of Si-woo if the opportunity arose, but the political burden of doing so had now become far too great.
Of course, it wasn't impossible if he forced the issue, but the problem was that at this point, he couldn't hide the fact that he was behind it.
Who would want to join a magic tower whose master killed talented magicians out of envy and jealousy?
No matter how he thought about it, killing Lee Si-woo was the worst possible move.
Moreover, Kenyon was, after all, the boss leading the Senior Magic Tower.
He knew well enough that for the future of the tower, he couldn't cast out a talent as brilliant as Lee Si-woo.
“I acknowledge it, Lee Si-woo. You are a far more outstanding talent than I ever imagined, and using your abilities as a stepping stone, you have now become an indispensable core figure in our tower.”
“Thank you for the undeserved praise. This is all thanks to the Tower Master's good fortune and virtue.”
Kenyon scoffed lightly at Si-woo's words, which blatantly implied that he should consider it his good fortune to have such a talent under his command.
Staring at Si-woo with eyes as deep as a tranquil lake, Kenyon clicked his tongue and crossed his arms.
“Alright, let's drop the pretenses and speak frankly, shall we? Lee Si-woo. I’ll be blunt. I covet the Forbidden Art you inherited from Autoreu.”
Kenyon had finally brought up the Forbidden Art, but Si-woo tilted his head as if he'd heard something completely unexpected.
“Forbidden Art? What’s that?”
At Si-woo's shameless act of playing dumb, Kenyon’s face crumpled like a crushed can.
“…Lee Si-woo. Don't play dumb. There are rumors that you use bizarre magic never seen before. If that isn't the Forbidden Art, then what is it?”
Si-woo replied with an innocent face that screamed, *I don't know anything*.
“Tower Master. It’s true that I’ve been remarkably successful in a peculiar way. But that’s not due to some Forbidden Art; it’s merely a ruse with a bit of theatrics. You could say it’s something akin to a scam.”
Incensed by Si-woo’s lie, Kenyon pulled out a Pledge Contract from his drawer and shoved it forward.
“Lee Si-woo. Don’t do something you'll regret. You clearly signed this Pledge Contract. That you would be loyal to our tower for life and never act against its interests. But you are currently violating both of those terms.”
Kenyon glared at Si-woo, his eyes burning like a lantern doused in gasoline, as if he could tear him apart.
“Disobeying me, Kenyon, the master of the Senior Magic Tower, is betrayal. And not contributing to my advancement is a betrayal of the tower itself. Do you understand? The very act of refusing my request is an act of treason! And you’re still going to feign ignorance?”
“Tower Master, you’ve made an excellent point. Yes. That contract is the very document that proves my innocence. Look. I have already refused your offer. But have I lost my mana? No, right? Then… doesn’t that mean something like a Forbidden Art never existed in the first place?”
*Bang!*
Kenyon slammed his fist on the office desk and ground his teeth. This couldn't be happening.
He had already made a verbal agreement with Autoreu to receive the Forbidden Art if he didn't touch Si-woo for a month and a half.
And now Si-woo claimed he didn't know about it?
It was an absurd lie.
‘But… why isn’t the pledge activating?’
He had checked the Pledge Contract several times; it was undoubtedly authentic, so there was no way it had been tampered with.
This document was influenced by the ‘power of a god.’
‘Is this also… the Forbidden Art? Could the Forbidden Art interfere with or influence a mana pledge? Impossible! But what if the Forbidden Art is also the work of another god’s power, and that god is of a higher rank than the one who established the mana pledge…? If so…’
Perhaps sensing the storm of emotions raging within Kenyon, like waves in a tempestuous sea, Si-woo offered a closing remark, as if to avoid getting caught in the fallout.
“Well then, Tower Master. I’ll be on my way. And as for the Forbidden Art… I’ll try asking around myself. You never know, right? I might find a clue about it and earn the Tower Master's favor.”
Leaving behind words with a strangely provocative nuance, Lee Si-woo walked out of the office.
Stunned for a moment, as if he hadn't expected Si-woo to actually just leave, Kenyon let out a roar and began throwing the office furniture around.
Unable to contain his rage, he knocked over and smashed the phone, the furniture, everything in sight. Kenyon panted heavily, his eyes wide.
‘Lee Si-woo. I should have known when that sly fox agreed to sign the Pledge Contract… Fine. You were one step ahead of me this time. But just you wait. No matter how cunning you are, you’ll eventually show a weakness. And when that day comes… this humiliation and shame I feel today. I will return it to you in full.’
Kenyon tried to soothe his anger by telling himself that Si-woo was merely prey that had willingly walked into his hands.
But no amount of rationalization or self-comfort could erase the deep-seated feeling of defeat that had settled in his heart.
Just like when he had faced Autoreu in the past.
The sound of Kenyon grinding his teeth echoed through the empty office.
* * *
After leaving the office, Si-woo met up with Isabelle nearby and headed straight for the Human Resources Department.
He intended to take care of Roben's request to transfer to the Senior Magic Tower while he was at it.
Si-woo spoke to an HR employee.
“I’m here to see the department head.”
At first, the employee was about to snap in irritation, wondering what some human punk who didn't know his place was doing asking for the department head, but then he recognized Si-woo's face and his eyes went wide.
“M-Mr. Lee Si-woo? Ah… I-I’m sorry. The… the department head is in a meeting right now. If you’re not in a hurry, could you possibly wait for a moment?”
“How long will it take?”
“Thirty minutes…”
The moment the words “thirty minutes” left the employee’s mouth, Isabelle’s face hardened.
“Thir-tyyy min-utes? Did I just hear thirty minutes? Hey, do you know who we are? Hmph… If you don’t want your name in an urn by the end of the day, you’d better choose your next words carefully. Got it?”
The HR employee’s face went pale at the threat from Isabelle, who was notorious for her foul temper, and he immediately corrected himself.
“N-No, ma'am. I think ten minutes will be enough. I’ll send a message to the department head right away.”
Satisfied with the employee’s now swift, well-oiled machine-like movements, Isabelle finally nodded and sat down next to Si-woo on the HR department’s sofa.
Isabelle grumbled with a sour look on her face.
“Damn it, that HR head bastard is in a meeting every time I come here. What does he even do besides take bribes and pull strings for people? And… hey, Lee Si-woo. I’m not your lackey anymore, you know? So why do I have to tag along on your errands?”
Si-woo shrugged and replied.
“Don’t you know, once a lackey, always a lackey?”
“Bullshit. Stop talking nonsense. Hey, you. Watch yourself, alright? No matter how great your achievement was, going straight to HR to pull strings? Hmph, don’t you think letting your newfound status go to your head so quickly is a bit much?”
“Isabelle. Power is something you should wield when you have it. Why test the waters when I don’t know if my position will ever be as good as it is today? It’s best to move quickly while my influence is at its peak and fill the tower with my people. That’s how my position becomes even more solid.”
“Still, you should probably be more mindful of what people think. I saw on the tower's anonymous forum today that everyone’s talking about you. Be careful. A lot of eyes are on you.”
“Talking about me? Half of that is just them cursing me out and badmouthing me.”
“Whether they’re cursing you or not, the fact that they’re talking about you means the tower staff is now watching your every move. It shows just how extraordinary your position has become. That… what was it, someone even mentioned you as a potential successor?”
Si-woo chuckled at Isabelle's furtive glances and pursed lips.
“Isabelle, there's no need to beat around the bush so awkwardly. How many times have I told you? I have no interest in the Tower Master's seat. That position, as promised, is yours.”
Unable to control the corners of her mouth from creeping up at Si-woo’s confirmation, Isabelle’s eyes sparkled as she spoke.
“You bastard… you mean that, right? Huh? I can trust you?”
“Yes. You can trust me. I can’t say I’m a good person, not even as a joke, but I’m not the kind of scumbag who repays kindness with enmity. After all the help you’ve given me, why would I backstab you?”
As Si-woo spoke with his characteristic friendly smile, Isabelle felt as if his words could make the impossible possible, and even a wrong answer seem right. She giggled.
“Is thaaat right? True, you’re not that kind of trash. And you have helped me a lot until now.”
As Isabelle beamed, her earlier frown completely forgotten, Si-woo gave a wry smile as if he couldn’t be helped.
Just as their idle chatter was starting to get boring, the HR department head came rushing over.
The avian HR head, who seemed to be a species of bald vulture, flapped his wings and made a fuss.
“Oh my, Mr. Lee Si-woo. Ms. Isabelle. To what do I owe the honor of two such esteemed individuals visiting this humble place…”
As if to say there was no need to drag things out, Si-woo took a document from his inventory ring and handed it to the department head.
“What other reason would I have to see you, Head Director, other than to recommend talent? I have two rather useful 1st Circle magician friends who I’d like to have brought into the Senior Magic Tower on this occasion.”
“Ah, a talent recommendation? Hoho, with Mr. Lee Si-woo’s discerning eye, who am I to question… Hmm? Wait a moment. Mr. Lee Si-woo. Are the talents you’re recommending by any chance human?”
The HR head, who had at first acted as if he would willingly lie down in a coffin if Si-woo asked, turned serious after checking the photos of the Roben siblings on the document.
Si-woo spoke in a nonchalant tone.
“Yes. Is there a problem?”
The HR head, making it painfully obvious that he was trying to figure out how to refuse without getting on Si-woo’s bad side, said.
“…Mr. Lee Si-woo. The current climate is not very good. Uh… I’m not a Racist, but as an elected official, I can’t ignore the uneasy atmosphere in the tower, can I?”
“What does the uneasy atmosphere in the tower have to do with recommending human magicians?”
“Ahem, because of the new virus, most of the races are avoiding humans… so there are quite a few who dislike the idea of bringing human magicians into the tower.”
“So?”
Si-woo crossed his legs and leaned back against the sofa.
Was it just his imagination, or did the man’s relaxed, almost languid posture feel all the more intimidating?
The HR head wiped the cold sweat dripping down his forehead with a wing and said.
“The… the Head of Human Resources is a publicly elected position.”
“Yes. I’m aware.”
“…It means I have to be mindful of the opinions of a greater number of people. Therefore, Mr. Lee Si-woo. I’m very sorry, but this personnel recommendation…”
Si-woo cut him off as sharply as a knife.
“Head Director.”
“Yes?”
“Your situation? Of course, I understand. And the fact that you, Head Director, are a commendable public servant who cares about the constituents who voted for you is very respectable.”
“Ah, yes. I’m glad you understand.”
Si-woo tapped his foot and said.
“Still… I think being unemployed is better than being a prisoner, don’t you?”
“…Excuse me?”
“I’m aware you’ve done quite well for yourself through appointment requests.”
Where there was power, how could there not be corruption? Accepting small bribes to place someone in the HR department, or taking points from a wandering magician who didn't meet the criteria and using the special recruitment system to get them into the tower—such things were routine for the HR head.
These were things everyone knew about but kept quiet about, considering the HR head’s power and their relationship with him.
“…Are you threatening me?”
Si-woo curled his lips into a smirk and adjusted his posture.
He looked straight at the HR head with his inscrutable black eyes and said.
“Head Director. You seem to be misunderstanding something. You aren't even worthy of being threatened by me.”
“……”
“Just yesterday, I killed the master of the Wilderness Magic Tower. And what Circle am I? 3rd Circle. Not even a Master, but an Expert. Head Director, to succeed in your career, you need to pick the right side. Think carefully. Who is standing before you? And who, in the entire history of the magic towers, has been a talent like me?”
Si-woo grabbed the HR head’s tie and gave it a tug.
Powerlessly pulled forward, Si-woo brought their foreheads together and spoke in a low, deep voice.
“Listen here. You should be honored to be in this room with me. Because I am the one who will become the new history of this tower. And yet… you hesitate on a request from such a person, and not even for a 2nd Circle magician, but for two 1st Circle magician nobodies?”
Si-woo released the tie and stared him down with eyes as cold as frost.
“Are you too stupid to know what’s what, or are you just a Racist? Or perhaps? Don’t tell me you want to end your career in the tower after one term as HR head? Tsk, if you have eyes, look carefully. See who’s sitting next to me.”
A drop of cold sweat dripped from the chin of the HR head as he looked at Isabelle, who was sitting there with a fed-up expression as if to say, *what is this crazy bastard talking about?*
He finally spoke in a trembling voice.
“I apologize, Mr. Lee Si-woo. It seems I failed to judge the situation properly. Uh… looking again, these two human magicians seem to be truly outstanding talents. So much so that we must recruit them even if we have to bend the rules. Therefore, I will take full responsibility and handle it without fail.”
Hearing the HR head’s firm answer, Si-woo smiled brightly and patted his shoulder.
Si-woo spoke in a deliberately gentle tone.
“As expected of the Head Director, you really know how to navigate your career. Then let’s see each other often from now on. Hmm, you have about a year left in your term, don't you? Well… it’s just my gut feeling, but I think we’ll be seeing each other quite often. Don’t you agree?”
The HR head replied with a bizarre expression that was somewhere between a smile and a sob.
“Haha… It would be an honor.”
His business concluded, Si-woo turned his back on the HR head and left the department.
Isabelle clicked her tongue as if she had never seen anyone crazier than herself in the world.
“You really know how to sing your own praises. ‘The one who will become the new history’? Wow… so damn cringey. Shit, but seeing people fall for such transparent crap… maybe this is the right way to do things… Huh? But where are you going now? Isn’t your business done?”
“Done? It’s just getting started. I’m scheduled to meet Rios in thirty minutes. I heard from Allen that if I play my cards right, he might even give me a familiar as a gift… Let’s go. Shouldn’t we strike while the iron is hot?”
“…A familiar? Crazy, for real? Those are so rare you can’t even buy them with money. Even I don’t have one, damn it.”
“Oh, you don’t have one either, Isabelle? Hmm, then you’d better stay on my good side. Who knows? If I’m in a good mood, I might let you ride it once.”
Isabelle furrowed her brow at Si-woo’s swagger.
“What a load of bullshit. Piss off, you bastard. I’m leaving. You’ve ruined my mood.”
Watching Isabelle storm off, her lips pouted as if she were genuinely sulking, Si-woo grinned from ear to ear.
As expected of an elf whose thoughts were written all over her face, she was fun to tease.
Checking the time on a clock hanging in the hallway, Si-woo licked his lips.
‘A familiar… Hmm, right. This is a pretty good chance to finally stop being a pedestrian.’