The Alluring Tower Master
Rowen pushed open the door to the Magic Tower and stepped inside. It was essentially trespassing, but that hardly mattered to him. There was no time. The blizzard's ferocity was intensifying by the moment. Time was running out before the enemy shattered its seal and descended into the mortal world.
So there was no need to bother with the two apprentices who looked like gatekeepers. Besides, the Magic Tower already seemed firmly in Arkanthia's clutches. Why should Rowen heed their words? Whether in form or substance, the North bowing its head to Arkanthia was unacceptable. As the son of the man who had governed the North, he could never permit it—legitimate blood or bastard, it made no difference. He was the last surviving Valenos. That was enough.
Leaving the outer guards to mere apprentices from the start meant...
"It means the strong ones are up to something inside."
"Working with Arkanthia, you think?"
"They're mages too. In the end, they crave power and knowledge. Damn it, they might already be blinded by Magitech."
"Even the Tower Master?"
"Who knows. But if she's the hero's disciple, she won't be ignorant of Magitech's dangers."
At the very least.
"We can only hope she hasn't been seduced by that power."
"...I'm a little worried."
"Me too."
The interior of the Magic Tower was surprisingly tidy. Mages were usually the type to litter the floors with scrolls and magic circles in their endless research. Records were crucial when studying or experimenting—tracking successes and failures, pinpointing errors in magic circuits, and so on. That's why mages' rooms were always a mess.
Well, this was still just the first floor. Rowen had sensed at least over eighty floors through his mana zone. And that wasn't even the top. Just gauging from the portion he could detect, the tower was insanely tall and grand—far beyond what it appeared.
Unlike the typical mage's cluttered lair, the first floor of the Magic Tower was pristine. The problem was that it felt too empty, even before considering the cleanliness.
A transfer portal asserting its presence with potent mana. And a rectangular object sitting plainly on the floor. That was it.
"This is weird."
"You sense it too?"
"No life signs. Weren't there supposed to be mages inside the Magic Tower?"
Rowen scanned the surroundings. The inscrutable tower built by Mio Lizfeldt's disciple. The disciple of his comrade from his past life—it felt a bit surreal.
But that thought didn't last. Rowen detected an overwhelming life force!
Ku-gu-gu-gu—
A massive explosion rocked the air, accompanied by an intense presence. It reminded him of Arahan unleashing her full power without restraint.
"No... even stronger. Is this a core?"
Mana reminiscent of Mio Lizfeldt at her peak swirled through the air, as if in worship of some great being. The mana pulsed quietly, soft and pure. It was more refined than anything he'd known—meticulous enough to rival Rian from his past life.
"Young master!"
"Arahan, get down!"
Rowen instantly erected a barrier. Runes of frost encircled him and Arahan. A blue glow swiftly enveloped their bodies.
"Young master, I sense a life force."
"...Not Arkanthian imperial forces."
"No malice from Magitech either."
"...Magic? Crushing the air with this presence from such a short-distance teleport?"
Rowen was mildly shocked. Through the hazy mist, her silhouette evoked Mio in her prime. Though indistinct, the pink strands of hair and stunning figure confirmed she was indeed Mio's disciple.
"I... I believe this is our first meeting?"
With a flick of her hand, the mist dissipated. In that instant, Arahan exploited the unseen space to weave chains. Rowen held his Ice Blade at the ready.
"Who the hell are you?"
Rowen's question sent a shiver through Yuria! She could feel it. The sensation from within his body—no, his very soul—mirrored her master's.
She still didn't know what it was. Her master had never told her.
—Even if I told you, you couldn't obtain it.
Mio's words had guided Yuria down the path of strength. She'd devoted her research to uncovering that power, holing up in the tower cut off from the outside world. Her disciples died, she bore a child, the world turned over generations. Yet Yuria remained disinterested. Her time flowed slowly, after all.
"Um... hello?"
"It's polite to give your name first, isn't it?"
"Hehe, quite bold for an intruder~"
"...Couldn't be helped."
Yuria sensed it. This was fate. Following that power would reveal its true nature.
"...Young master, that woman's gaze is utterly repulsive."
"She's just looking at us."
"No. Those eyes are definitely targeting you."
"...Well, even an apprentice is still a disciple. I froze them, so she's got reason to target me."
"That's not the issue! She's harboring impious thoughts!"
"...What the hell are you talking about?"
Arahan felt disgust. It wasn't about strength or weakness. Those were eyes appraising him like prey—sizing him up, lusting, showing interest. The most irritating behavior as far as she was concerned.
"And who might you be?"
"Rowen."
"Oh my, what a handsome name!"
In a flash, Yuria vanished. No—she was too fast to see. In that split second, she embraced Rowen tightly, inhaling his scent deeply.
"What the fuck is this bitch—"
"Haa... Your mana is so dense. Just like my master's."
"Get off."
"Don't wanna~?"
Crack!
"What the—?!"
An invisible force bound Rowen's body. He activated Search. Tracing the mana to its origin, he tried to read the Akashic Records containing all magic. But nothing came up.
It was on another level. Rowen sought to master all magic. With his genius, he believed he had to use it accordingly.
But not this time. He couldn't decipher the spell. Only one answer remained.
Unlike binds that restrained the flesh, this shackled the soul itself.
Original magic!
Rowen realized. Overwhelming presence, power surpassing his own. No wonder it wasn't in the Akashic Records. Originals were unique spells owned solely by their creators. Even Search couldn't access them.
Arahan held back, staying vigilant instead of charging in recklessly. The owner of an Original. As he'd suspected, this woman ecstatically sniffing his scent was undoubtedly the 'Tower Master'.
She transcended top-tier mages. Mio's contractor, living over a thousand years like the hero. The one before him was surely Tower Master Yuria Scarlet.
"Didn't expect you'd come yourself."
"Oh? Here to see me?"
"Yeah. I was planning to find you anyway."
"Hmm~?"
Yuria licked her lips with intrigue, eyeing him like succulent prey. A feeling she'd not savored in ages. Curiosity. She wondered what kind of man Rowen was.
"Fascinating."
"What is?"
"I'm actually interested in you."
Arahan's brow twitched. Her grip tightened on Rosbriel, her glare at Yuria heavy with murderous intent.
"...Get lost."
"My, such a foul-mouthed girl."
"Do you even realize what you're doing to my young master?"
"Hehe, I'm just snuggling up to him sweetly. You could figure it out if you had eyes?"
Grind.
"...Young master. Why aren't you prying this bitch off?"
"I can't!"
"Why the hell...?"
Arahan's eyes darkened. Her jewel-like blue gaze turned murky. Rosbriel governed destruction, unlike Rosmerta's speed. Right now, she genuinely wanted to pulverize Yuria.
Mine mine mine mine mine mine mine mine mine mine!
Her mind screamed with jealousy. But she couldn't move. She didn't know the enemy's full power. It felt equal to hers—perhaps greater. Age? No. Though experience played a role, her demeanor was pure girl. Despite the clumsy, voluptuous curves, she eyed Rowen like a sleek vixen.
And the strength she exuded. Rash action might hurt Rowen.
But staying still was worse.
Shing.
"...Step away from Young master."
Arahan's flash strike shot forward faster than any eye could follow. A straight sword slash aimed at Yuria's arm.
Yuria smiled dismissively. She deployed a defensive spell at the exact spot, without a fraction's error. A star-shaped magic circle. Countless runes swirled above her like shooting stars.
Beautiful, yet terrifying to witness—those runes were catalysts for explosion spells. No incantation needed.
To Yuria, Arahan was just an obstacle. A bitch blocking her curiosity!
"What's this? Attacking out of nowhere..."
"You're embarrassing Young master. So get your body away."
"Make up your mind—honorifics or not..."
"...I don't do elder respect. And why are you approaching my young master?"
"...Your young master?"
Yuria glanced at Rowen and smirked.
"Ah. Do you love this man?"
"...Step. Off."
"Ufufu, don't glare so scarily."
Yuria shoved Arahan back. A fierce gust erupted. Arahan braced with sword wind, unmoved.
Yuria stepped back a pace and released Rowen's bindings. She gracefully lifted the hem of her black dress and bowed.
"I must have been tactless. My apologies."
"...Tch."
"Don't hate me so much. His scent was just too intoxicating from the man you love."
"...Want to die again?"
"Hehehe, don't get so mad~ I'm just a little interested in him."
Arahan steadied herself without flying off. She'd blocked the wind with sword gusts, but Yuria's pressure lingered. As the winds calmed and she could move...
She rushed to Rowen, linking arms and burying her face in him.
"Haa..."
"...Arahan, pull back a bit."
"No. Her scent lingers."
She had to erase that woman's smell now, cover him until he reeked of her...! Overwrite, overwrite, overwrite. Mark him as hers. Coat him in her scent... Ahh, pure bliss!
"Stay still, please."
"...Ugh."
"This is all your fault, Young master."
"What did I do?"
"You're too alluring, drawing flies."
Arahan was furious. She knew it wasn't Rowen's fault, but jealousy burned anyway. She shot Yuria a glare, her eyes still darkly sunken.
Yuria saw the obsession in those eyes.
"...You must have it rough."
Rowen felt sensation return to his body. It was awkward. What the hell had just happened...? Sudden fight, sudden retreat. He didn't even know the cause.
"...Looks like you two have questions for each other."
"Quite a few."
"Hehe, whatever. I have some too."
Yuria glanced at Arahan, then lasciviously licked her lips.
Arahan ground her teeth.
"Young master, I don't like this woman. I even doubt she's truly that great mage's disciple."
"Haha..."
Rowen had no doubts. Her speech differed, but every seductive gesture screamed Mio. Unlike Mio's red two-side-up style, she had long straight pink hair. Yet the silhouette, mannerisms, and sheer power radiated Mio's aura.
Rowen scratched his head. Honestly, he'd expected other mages to attack, not her. It was trespassing, after all.
"Well then, shall we go?"
"Go where?"
Yuria beamed.
"We have to climb the tower~!"