Chapter 336: Bewilderment (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 336: Bewilderment (2)
Basic calculation was exactly what the name implied.
It was basic—nothing more, nothing less.
In fact, it would be strange if it held any deeper meaning. Basic calculations were primarily used to maintain specific spells or to identify variables that might arise during the research of a particular magic.
To put it simply, basic calculation was grunt work.
It was the kind of drudgery that required no real brainpower, only the endless repetition of the same task.
Naturally, those tasked with it were usually low-ranking novice mages, who often self-deprecatingly referred to themselves as "slaves."
If you looked closely, their lifestyle was remarkably similar to that of a slave.
Wake up in the morning, run to the lab, and do basic calculations.
Eat breakfast, run to the lab, and do basic calculations.
Eat lunch, run to the lab, and do basic calculations.
Eat dinner, run to the lab, and do basic calculations.
Eat a late-night snack, run to the lab, and do basic calculations.
By the time dawn broke, they would collapse in a tiny three-pyeong room with dark circles under their eyes and drift off to sleep.
Slaves lived much the same way.
Wake up in the morning, run to the fields, and work.
Eat breakfast, run to the fields, and work.
Eat lunch, work in the fields. Eat dinner, work in the fields.
Sleep at night. …Wait.
Now that he thought about it, the slave’s quality of life actually seemed a bit better…
Anyway, in Alon’s eyes, it was identical to the work of a "graduate student"—the professor’s slave.
But why on earth was this happening?
"…I am Parkline."
"…."
"I serve as the Tower Master of the Red Magic Tower."
"…Yes."
"I am interview candidate number 32."
"…I see."
The reason this situation was unfolding…
"…."
Alon quietly turned his gaze toward Evan. Evan met his eyes with an equally bewildered expression.
‘Do you know anything about this?’
‘How should I know…? Didn't you do something, Marquis?’
‘I was bedridden all day yesterday.’
‘That’s true….’
No words were necessary.
After finishing his silent exchange with Evan, Alon felt a surge of complicated emotions behind his expressionless mask.
He had certainly done nothing.
All he had done yesterday was lie in bed, suffering from the aftereffects of Defying Heaven that appeared after he dealt with Sloth.
So why was he now looking at interviewees who had assigned themselves candidate numbers without his knowledge?
And not just anyone.
"…Therefore, I am quite confident in my calculation skills."
"Is that so?"
"Are you aware? The spells of the Red Magic Tower are fundamentally structured to require constant basic calculations in parallel."
"…."
"Which means the density of calculations required is incredibly high."
Why was a Tower Master—not just any mage, but the head of a Tower—volunteering to be a calculation slave?
"I… see."
To put it in modern terms, it was as if a professor at the absolute peak of their field was appealing to someone, saying, "I’m confident I’ll make a great slave!"
Alon, who could only stare blankly at the man, found the culprit two hours later.
"I—it seems like it’s because of me. I’m sorry…."
It was Sharan, the Green Tower Master.
She was the source of the problem.
"…Just what on earth did you tell them—"
"No, it’s not like I did much…."
Sharan began to recount what she had told the mages yesterday.
After listening to the whole story, Alon summarized the situation.
"So, you simply told them that by performing basic calculations, they could assist in my magic research?"
"Yes…. But for it to turn out like this…."
Alon fell silent at Sharan’s guilt-ridden expression.
To be fair, she hadn't done anything particularly wrong. However, it wasn't hard to guess why things had escalated to this point.
‘…It must be because of the magic I showed them yesterday.’
Of course, Alon had demonstrated magic several times before. But the impact of yesterday’s magic must have felt different to the mages. Even Alon, the one who cast it, had found himself thinking, ‘I did that?’
Sharan’s words—that they could help with his research on the condition of doing basic calculations—must have acted as the catalyst.
Finally understanding why these mages (professors) were volunteering to be slaves (graduate students), Alon scratched his head.
‘What should I do?’
Having many mages was a good thing, of course. The reason his magic analysis had been slow until now was precisely because of the basic calculations.
But if he brought in a large number of mages? The speed would undoubtedly be much faster than before.
Despite this, there were a few reasons Alon hesitated to make a decision.
Most of the mages likely wanted to help with his research so they could investigate the magic he used.
Unfortunately, however, the mages of the current generation would never be able to use Alon’s magic, no matter how much they studied it.
In other words, Alon would be the only one benefiting from this arrangement.
Of course, they were the ones volunteering to be slaves, but unlike Sharan, who already knew the truth, they were in the dark. Looking ahead, there was a high possibility this could turn into a bitter grudge.
Secondly, he had to get permission from Heinkel. Since the research would be conducted alongside the mages, it would be Heinkel, not Alon, dealing with them.
"Hmm—"
As Alon pondered, Penia spoke up from beside him.
"Is that really something worth worrying about so much?"
"Well—the other side won't be gaining anything, after all."
"Couldn't you just give them a prior notice?"
"That’s not a bad point, but—"
Alon pressed his fingers against his brow and continued.
"…Then let’s do as Penia suggested. We’ll start by giving them a notice."
"Then shall I ask Heinkel-nim?"
"Could you do that now?"
"I received a communication crystal from him last time."
"Then I’ll leave it to you."
"Yes, you’ll probably hear back by this evening, so I’ll talk to him then," Penia replied with a nod.
* * *
Night.
"Elivan."
"Yan."
Yan spoke to Elivan, who was quietly gazing at the Milky Way in the sky.
"The night sky again?"
"Yeah. What is it?"
"It’s almost time to attend the meeting. You need to receive your reward, don't you?"
Elivan nodded at her words.
He briefly thought of the item Shuhtalian V, the King of the Ashtalon Kingdom, had offered as a reward.
"I understand. Do you want to go ahead?"
"You’re not coming with me?"
"I have something to think about for a moment."
It was an indirect dismissal.
Yan looked puzzled but nodded in understanding before disappearing.
Once he confirmed Yan had left, Elivan’s bright smile vanished instantly as he looked back at the Milky Way.
He recalled the memory of yesterday.
Specifically, the conversation he had with Ladan immediately after the Marquis of Palatio had dealt with the Sin of Sloth.
‘Are you going to do it?’
‘Yes.’
The conversation hadn't been long. No, strictly speaking, it could hardly be called a conversation.
Ladan had asked a question.
Elivan had answered.
That was it.
Ladan didn't ask Elivan anything else. Elivan was the same. They ended the exchange with that single question and answer.
Ladan had turned away without hesitation and gone to Seolrang, and Elivan had watched him go.
What he remembered was just a brief exchange. Yet, it was a conversation he couldn't forget.
"Whew—"
Elivan let out a sigh. His mind was a mess.
However, he lightly shook his head and soon forced a smile, just as he always did.
His work wasn't finished yet. And until it was all over, he had to keep smiling.
He had to be everyone’s savior.
He had to be everyone’s hero.
He had to gain fame.
He absolutely had to.
"…Elivan! I think you need to hurry!"
Elivan turned his gaze toward Yan’s shouting voice.
"Sorry! I’m coming now."
In an instant, a brilliantly shining smile was painted back onto his face.
* * *
Evening.
Alon stepped outside, his body still not fully recovered.
It was because of Shuhtalian V, who had summoned those involved in the Sin of Sloth incident.
Of course, no one was unhappy about the summons. It was clearly to discuss rewards.
‘Something similar to an Abyss Body, but without the side effects—what on earth could it be?’
With that in mind, Alon walked toward the meeting, recalling the reward Evan had mentioned earlier.
As soon as he arrived at the conference room…
"Ah! Mentor!"
"Brother."
"Greetings, brother."
He saw Seolrang, Ladan, and Yuman, who were waiting to welcome him.
"Are you feeling okay?"
"Yeah, I’m fine!"
"I’m fine too, brother. More importantly, how are you?"
"Right, right. Are you okay, Mentor?"
Since he hadn't seen their faces since he collapsed yesterday, Alon quickly nodded.
"I’m fine. I just overexerted myself a bit; I wasn't injured."
"That’s a relief, Mentor!"
"It really is."
Once Alon finished his greetings, Yuman approached him.
"I’m glad to see you look well. I wanted to visit you a few times, but there were always so many people around that I couldn't."
"Exactly! There were always these weird kids in front of your room, so we couldn't go in!"
"It was the same for me."
"Ah…."
The mages had only dispersed after Alon declared he would pause the interviews.
‘…Certainly,’
Alon recalled the sight of them swarming near his room.
"But Mentor, what were you doing?"
"…An unexpected interview…?"
"…An interview?"
While Alon was explaining the situation to a tilting Seolrang…
At the Magic Tower.
[Hmm—so you’re asking if it’s okay to accept more mages?]
[Yes, the Marquis asked me to get your opinion, Heinkel-nim!]
Heinkel and Penia were communicating.
[Hmm—well, I don't really mind.]
Heinkel nodded, thinking it wasn't a bad idea.
After all, from the moment she had revealed her identity to Selaim and Sharan, it didn't really matter what happened anymore.
‘Besides, I’d like the magic analysis to go a bit faster right now—’
…Of course, there was also a slightly worldly and secret desire, unbecoming of an Archmage, to once again feel the thrill of Sharan and Selaim looking at her with eyes full of reverence.
[Is it alright then?]
[Yeah, it’s fine.]
Regardless, Heinkel nodded to Penia.
[So, how many are there?]
[Um, just a moment—]
‘Well, they certainly won't be as good as a Tower Master. Considering that, somewhere between five and ten would be good.’
As Heinkel was roughly estimating the number of people needed in her head…
[Five… five—]
[Five people?]
[About… 58?]
[58?]
[Yes.]
Heinkel was a bit surprised. It was a bit—no, quite a bit more than the number she had in mind.
But she soon shrugged it off. It was better to have too many than too few.
Just as she was about to reply, "That’s not bad—"
[Oh, it’s up to 68 now.]
[…Suddenly?]
[Sharan-nim is currently accepting applicants in real-time. So, if I organize them now, it’s 74… no, 78….]
[?]
Heinkel grew bewildered as the number began to climb in that short span of time.
[Ahem, there are 111 applicants for now, but since you need to see them yourself, Heinkel-nim… I’ll organize the 117 applicants separately and send you the list for 128 people.]
[???]
[Ah, no, I’ll send you the list for 135 people.]
[?????]
[Oh, just a moment ago, it became 141—]
At the seemingly endless multiplication(?), Heinkel realized that while she didn't know exactly what was happening…
Something was definitely going on.
[We’ve hit 150.]
[….]
Yes, something…