Chapter 158
Chapter 158
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 158
Chapter Title: Autumn, New Semester (1)
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Summer is the season of preparation.
Under the scorching midsummer heat, students take brief rests while getting ready for the autumn to come. Aphria Academy was no exception. During the long vacation, Aphria's students savor a sweet respite. A rest so sweet it couldn't possibly be sweeter.
No need to dread assignments.
No need to fear the nightmares that creep in every night.
With peace of mind, and plenty of leisure.
It even feels like a reward for enduring a semester's worth of trials and tribulations. They gather for trips, devour the magic tomes they'd been dying to read... each student spends the break in their own way.
"No need to read it."
However, not everyone is like that.
"Lame excuses. It's paperwork not worth the ink. Just tidy it up appropriately. Oh, and the tiered second-quarter performance metrics are already quantified—announce those separately."
One person is busier than anyone during the break.
"The pension studies lab's results are lackluster. Next month's budget cuts are decided, so pass that along. We can shift the trimmed funds to the magic engineering lab."
Ashen Mage Tower's topmost floor, the Next Mage Tower Lord's office.
The girl seated there pressed her brow and continued.
"And also..."
Gulp.
The tower's chief secretary, receiving her directives, swallows dryly. She has no choice. A single gesture or word from the girl before her decides each tier's fate. It brings joy and despair to countless elite mages.
"Yes, that's all."
Next Mage Tower Lord, Resti.
She swept back her violet locks and wrapped up. Even after days of all-nighters, her eyes betrayed no fatigue.
'...She changed overnight.'
No time to marvel at the shift.
The chief secretary is equally swamped by the avalanche of tasks. The change in such a short span is too drastic. Unrecognizable.
'Hard to adjust.'
It's not just the chief secretary's issue. The entire Ashen Mage Tower struggles to keep pace with the upheaval.
It can't be helped.
Resti. For years in the Next Mage Tower Lord's seat, she'd wielded no power. Effectively, the position had been vacant. Three years running.
But what's this?
A few months back, amid a shocking announcement... the Next Mage Tower Lord took her rightful place. And began exercising authority. Began running the tower.
Utter pandemonium.
Several major and minor incidents erupted in the chaos.
Many mages balked at her orders. That's the Ashen Mage's seat. Not for the likes of you. Mages rallied around the elders with that mindset... but...
Herbert Elder's retirement. The ringleader elder was expelled from the tower.
Herbert Elder's faction was utterly dismantled. Complaints naturally faded. By then, everyone caught on.
'A Tower Lord with "something" that can boot out even a lifelong servant of the tower.'
She holds something in her grasp.
No guarantee it won't turn on them. Grumbling persists. But no mage gutsy enough to air it openly.
Silence born of fear.
Yet fear-mongering never lasts, as it tends to go. All eyes bulge, waiting for that insolent Tower Lord to slip up, for a chance to pounce.
Two months slipped by like that.
The Next Mage Tower Lord still hasn't erred. She's flawlessly executing her duties. Tower performance is even climbing—the first uptick in years. That's when her staunch backers emerged.
"I support the Next Mage Tower Lord."
The Ashen Mage Tower's most senior elder.
Elder Gilleon backs her. The tower's biggest faction props up the current Next Mage Tower Lord. Inch by inch, but inexorably, she's swallowing the tower whole.
The chief secretary witnessed it all from the front row. That's why she feels awe—even reverence—for the girl before her. It's... the same emotion she'd felt for the mage who'd once occupied that seat long ago.
'...Ashen Mage, Raniel van Trias.'
He'd followed the exact same path.
Everyone dismissed him, but he stuck to his role. When they snapped to, the tower was already in his pocket. Gripes silenced before his overwhelming achievements.
And now.
History repeats.
'Inflection point.'
Resti stands at its heart.
The chief secretary glanced at the girl in the office.
Cold, chilled eyes and a frosty voice.
Processing work ceaselessly... like a machine. In the secretary's eyes, she no longer looked human.
Just as she stared vacantly.
A cool voice rang through the office.
"What are you staring at?"
"Ah, nothing, ma'am."
Please leave.
As the chief secretary turned to exit at Resti's cue, a telepathic ping hit her ear. A relayed message from the tower lobby.
-Chief Secretary, there's... a guest requesting the Next Mage Tower Lord.
Who drops by unannounced to ping her directly? No appointments. As the secretary scowled and queried the visitor's identity...
"......!"
Her eyes flew wide at the response.
She reported straight to the Next Mage Tower Lord.
"N-Next Mage Tower Lord."
"What is it?"
"A guest wishes an audience with you."
"No appointment. Not enough slack for drop-ins. Send them packing."
"Problem is... not someone we can easily shoo away..."
Resti frowned.
She tilted her head. A gesture bidding who. The secretary replied.
"Elder Rosel arrived with his daughter."
Resti flinched.
More precisely, at "daughter."
She tore her gaze from the papers and fixed on the secretary. Her eyes were different from usual. The secretary sensed... a meaningful shift on the once-machine-like girl's face.
Anticipation. Joy.
The secretary blinked, wondering if she'd imagined it. When her eyes reopened, the impassive girl was back. She cleared her throat briefly and spoke.
"Escort to the reception room."
Her voice carried a subtle lilt of excitement.
2.
"Have a good talk, then come find me. I'll be off."
"Master isn't joining?"
"No good lingering in the tower. I'd just be in the way. Besides, that kid prefers one-on-one with you."
We parted with my master at the tower entrance. Looked like he'd come solely to smooth my entry from the start.
"...Ah!"
After a short wait in the lobby, the chief secretary descended. Our eyes met; she hurried over with quick steps.
'Long time for her too.'
A familiar face.
She'd been my secretary once. I answered her perfunctory questions, then followed her lead up the tower.
"This way to the reception room."
Stepping into the tower after years.
The Ashen Mage Tower after a few years felt... not so alien. Facilities unchanged, mages passing by familiar faces.
-...Her?
-Elder Rosel van Trias's daughter...
-Professor at Aphria Academy?
Scattered whispers reached me.
Gazes pinned me with every step. Well, as master's disciple and adopted daughter, no surprise the mages took interest...
-Rumors don't lie, that beauty...
-Definitely draws the eye...
I whipped my head around.
They'd bowed hastily when I glared toward the voices. I muttered under my breath, still eyeing them.
"So many with time on their hands?"
"...Pardon?"
The chief secretary cocked her head at my remark.
"Quarter's wrapping up, isn't it? Time to compile research, balance books, tally performance... they've got leisure for chit-chat?"
Not like my day.
Everyone barricaded in labs back then, corridors ghost towns.
'These kids nowadays...'
I clicked my tongue.
The tower's discipline had slackened terribly; I couldn't stifle my sigh. Itched to dress them down, but I summoned inhuman restraint and held it in.
"...You know the tower inside out?"
"...Picked up bits from master."
The chief secretary wore a peculiar look, head tilted as if seized by déjà vu. I pretended not to notice and kept walking.
A good while later.
"The Next Mage Tower Lord awaits."
Ashen Mage Tower's pinnacle.
The chief secretary escorted me to the reception adjoining the Lord's office, then stepped back. I knocked lightly and entered.
"Come in."
The girl in the reception room.
Resti, clad not in her uniform but in a robe emblazoned with the Ashen Mage Tower's crest, beamed at me.
"Professor Lania."
"Long time no see, Resti."
First face since break's end.
Just two months, yet it felt oddly distant. Seemed more than just my imagination.
'She's changed.'
Her aura had shifted.
No more hunching meekly. A welcome evolution—I offered a slight smile.
"Hope I'm not intruding on busy schedule."
"Things are winding down enough. I wrapped work ahead of time."
I took the seat opposite Resti.
The reception beside the Lord's office matched my memory perfectly. My eyes drifted to the corner sofa; I gave a wry smile.
'That's still there.'
Pulling all-nighters, curling up on that sofa for sleep felt like yesterday. The robe rack master had hung beside it remained untouched.
But the garment on it was new.
A spare robe for the new Next Mage Tower Lord, fresh Ashen crest. The Ashen Mage Tower's change over recent years. I nodded faintly and spoke up.
"Heard you bounced an elder."
"A real thorn in the side."
Thorn, she says.
Fresh phrasing from Resti. I smiled wryly and pressed on.
"Data I passed along prove useful?"
"...Yes. Immensely."
Resti dipped her head slightly.
She tugged her necklace chain, drawing out a small rectangular pendant from beneath her clothes.
"Truly a huge help."
"Must've been tricky wielding."
"Tricky, sure... but easy compared to everything I'd done before."
The dagger I'd forged against the elders.
Delivered to Resti in Lania's name.
Clutching it tight, Resti explained.
"Pulled Elder Gilleon in, sowed discord among the others... leaked scraps of data to set them tearing at each other."
I listened intently.
"At the pivotal moment, I just gave the other elders a nudge. Didn't even need to show my hand."
Not my approach.
I'd bulldoze headfirst... Resti played the inverse.
'Rigging the board to flow her way.'
Suits her temperament.
Like me in some ways, but worlds apart here.
"Different from the Ashen Mage."
"Is it?"
"He'd charge in guns blazing."
He'd scheme boards once, but impatience won—smash first, sort later. Faster than finessing every move.
"Anyway, enough banter."
I clapped once.
"Came to check on you personally too... but academy has a message."
I drew a letter from my breast pocket.
Emblazoned with Aphria Academy Chief Academic Dean Aaron's insignia... essentially paperwork.
"Academy rarely bends for student convenience, but your situation's unique. Master pulled strings with the dean."
"Strings...?"
"They'll accommodate you."
I unfolded the letter. Bloated with formal fluff... boiled down to:
"No need for every class. Graduation reqs maximally flexible. Basic liberal arts suffice."
Student doubling as Next Mage Tower Lord.
Already professor-caliber in most subjects... bold call from admin. Unprecedented perk.
"Bottom line: semester two, lighter load okay. Accommodation won't crimp tower duties."
I slid the letter her way and asked.
"Your call. Up to you."
"......"
Resti eyed the letter wordlessly.
She pondered briefly, then looked up. Spoke casually, offhand.
"Sounds fine."
"...You'll be slammed."
"Not as slammed as it seems."
Resti smiled wryly, shaking her head.
"Busy now laying foundations, but that's nearing end... and I skipped personal research anyway."
She elaborated.
"Heard the prior Next, Lady Raniel, juggled not just Lord duties here... but personal projects, led tier studies too."
Meeting my gaze squarely, Resti went on.
"Can't measure up yet."
Platinum sheen pooled in Resti's eyes. Her talent, now blooming openly—no more hiding.
"To earn universal nod, can't slack anywhere. I'll walk the full student path to graduate, no loose ends for gossip."
"Personal research?"
"Plenty doable mid-term. Tested last semester—more feasible than thought."
"Fair enough..."
I nodded.
"If you're good, no need for this."
Retracting the letter, I smiled faintly. Worlds apart from term-start Resti; this girl felt reborn.
"You're really knuckling down."
"Got crystal reasons now."
Resti affirmed.
"You told me, Professor. Don't do anything you'd regret."
Words I'd once shared, now from her lips.
"Slacking now? I'd regret it."
"...Kids these days."
I shook my head and rose.
Resti stood slowly too. Brighter now, smiles easier... sharper tongue. She held the reception door.
"That robe."
I gestured to hers.
"Suits you."
"...Thank you, Professor."
"See you at term start."
With her escort, I exited. Pausing before descending the top floor, I peered through the glass at the Next Mage Tower Lord's office.
Once my perch.
Now hers.
The tower felt familiar overall, but the office? Strangely foreign. Not unpleasantly so. My steps felt lighter.
'Rak, Belnoa, Resti.'
Blossoming each on their path.
Professor life brought fulfillment as I exited the tower. More rewarding than expected.
September looms.
I strolled the waning summer streets, musing on semester two ahead. The day wasn't swelteringly hot alone.
3.
The long yet fleeting summer break draws to close.
Summer fades, autumn arrives. With Aphria's opening nigh, students prep for new term.
"Study hard, young master!"
"Greetings to Miss Lania too! Next White Night Castle visit, more traps...!"
"Yeah, got it."
Bid farewell by shirtless brawny warriors, Rak heads to the capital. Amid the snowfield-slicing carriage, Rak steels new-term resolve.
'This term, snatch the top spot.'
Topple Belnoa.
Vacation brought lessons, growth aplenty. Picturing his rival, Rak flashes a defiant grin.
"Back to academy, Aila?"
"Yes, Leruel sis. New term starts... dorm-bound."
"Good. Letters aplenty. Tracking your schedule's part of my job."
"...Not just 'cause sis wants them?"
"Still hung up on that... no, that professor's drivel? Forget it. He spouts nonsense for fun."
"You called him reliable once."
"Everyone misspeaks. His ratio's just high."
Leruel's send-off escorts Fourth Princess Aila to dorms. Vacation unveiled sis's quirky side; Aila bridged their gap considerably.
"Thanks for lessons over break, Leruel sis."
"Glad it helped."
One of Ivory Tower's pillars of honor.
Leruel, circuit lore savvier than most magi society scholars. Her private tutoring has Aila gunning for circuits top spot this term.
"Off I go."
Aila's carriage rolls out.
Gazing out the window, she anticipates Aphria reunions. Bonds and escapades galore. Time to reap semester one's sown ties.
"Old timer, we're off too."
"Finally? Scram already. Sick of you brats."
Ignoring Cardi's weary shooing, Belnoa grabs her bags. Not solely hers.
"Chloe, let's move!"
"One sec...!"
The shop storeroom bursts open; Chloe, ponytail flying, dashes out in Aphria uniform. She waves to Cardi ere exiting.
"Back on break, gramps!"
"Letters only. Quit cramming this shoebox..."
"Keep griping, weekends too? C'mon, Belnoa!"
Chloe falls in quick-step beside Belnoa.
Dream academy days await. Childhood pal sharing the ride, Chloe bubbles with thrill.
"...Way too hyped?"
"Can't help it—exciting!"
Not thrilling in the least.
Hell's preview incoming.
You, nightmare's marked one...
Words welled in Belnoa's throat, but she spared her friend's dreams. Direct taste better teaches.
"Yeah, let's go."
Preparation's summer ends.
Harvest's autumn beckons.
Aphria, amid turning leaves, heralds opening. Semester two dawns.
Author's Note Somehow ended up looking like "Part 1 Complete! Long Hiatus!"... But nope. No part 1 finale, no long break. Uploading Hero Party tomorrow and day after too. Hit near 10k chars writing. Late polishing it up. *Eyes went woozy reading that Black Dragon Belial TS theory comment. Skeval's a mighty skullhead, but... TS yields a massive black dragon, not a cutie. No deviant bonehead that twisted. Dragons are near-perfect beings. Hatchlings spawn asexual-style.