Chapter 71
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 71
Chapter Title: Mage Tower's Mage (1)
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-Kreeeeak!!
A grating metallic screech pierced my ears.
"What... somehow it's still in one piece."
I leaned my head back against the chair and gazed out the window.
The Mage Tower's exclusive train platform.
The magitrain stopped in front of it looked... well.
"Whoa—it's a miracle it even rolled in here."
It was utterly wrecked.
Traces of sparks and explosions scarred it everywhere, leaving the body blackened and charred.
The metal plates were dented, melted in spots.
Claw marks slashed diagonally across it in a chaotic mess.
And on top of that, clumps of dirt from the landslide aftermath were plastered all over it.
"One thing's for sure—its durability is impressive."
To have rolled all the way here in this state.
The Empire and the Mage Tower must not have wasted their money on it.
-Hiss.
With a deflating sound, the door to the general seating car at the rear slid open first.
Passengers soon came pouring out in a rush.
"W-We survived!!"
"I-I thought we were done for!"
"I'll never ride that damn train again!"
They were all reacting dramatically.
Some collapsed onto the platform, legs giving out the moment they stepped off.
Others hugged each other and jumped around.
One even prostrated themselves and kissed the ground.
No wonder—after seeing magical beasts swarming outside and mountains collapsing overhead, staying sane would be tough.
"We had a rough time."
Especially me, more than anyone.
I dusted off my spotless clothes and only stepped onto the platform after most of the first-class passengers had left.
That's when the door at the very front, by the engine room, burst open.
"Hah... hah..."
Staggering out from inside was none other than Department Head Raymond.
"Lunaris... student...!"
He looked a mess.
His elegantly styled hair was disheveled, and his premium robe—layered with all sorts of protective spells—was singed and torn in places.
"You must have had it rough."
I put on a sympathetic expression toward the department head, sweat trickling down his forehead.
"That said... your makeup's a bit smudged."
"Is makeup the issue right now?!"
The department head practically shrieked in frustration.
"That bastard threatening the engineer... I let him get away!"
"You should've gone faster."
"No way! The moment I showed up, he didn't even negotiate—he slit the hostage's throat and bolted! What was I supposed to do?!"
"You had to know there'd be someone in the engine room. If it were me, I'd blink in and bind him with telekinesis magic at the same time."
Sigh. This is why casters with long incantations are such a pain.
"Then you should've stepped up yourself, Lunaris student!"
"I trusted you that much. Protecting the passengers was more important anyway."
At my words, Department Head Raymond let out a sigh and began venting.
"That jerk... not only did he kill the engineer while fleeing, he overloaded the engine too!"
"No wonder the temperature spiked."
"If I hadn't taken manual control, this train would've derailed ages ago!"
"Yeah, yeah. We all survived thanks to you. We even made it to the Mage Tower in one piece."
Seeing him thump his chest like that was just pitiful.
"Wait a sec—now that I think about it, I'm pissed! Why'd I have to drive a magitrain in the middle of all this?!"
"But no one else could've handled it as safely as you did."
"Ahem! Well, true. My skills aren't ordinary... wait, no!"
"...?"
"I'm looking for some empathy here, empathy! Not that soulless agreement!"
Department Head Raymond grumbled as he wiped his face roughly with a handkerchief.
"Elder Raymond! Are you alright?!"
At that moment, guards and mages came rushing over from the far end of the platform, faces pale.
"G-Good heavens... what on earth happened?"
They alternated between staring at the battered magitrain and Department Head Raymond, speechless.
"Are your eyes decorative? Can't you tell at a glance?"
The department head's expression flipped in an instant.
Hard to believe this was the same guy whining to me moments ago.
"We were attacked on the way here."
The air around us chilled instantly.
"And they came at us with serious intent."
His low, mana-infused voice made it feel even more menacing.
"S-So... magical beasts attacked the train?"
"More precisely, someone tamed wyverns to stage an explosion terror attack."
"What?!"
"The timing of the landslide, occupying the engine room—it was clearly premeditated!"
The guards and mages exchanged awkward glances and cleared their throats nervously.
"A-Any leads on the suspect?"
"Black mages? Or that Resistance group that's been stirring trouble lately..."
"Figuring that out is your job!"
The guard captain's face stiffened.
"Y-Yes, sir! We'll assemble an investigation team immediately!"
"If you don't catch him, I'll formally propose cutting the guard budget at the next Mage Tower council meeting!"
"...!"
That hot-tempered elder follows through when he says he will.
And he's got the authority to back it up.
"Secure all surveillance magic records and related materials too. Got it?"
His charisma swept over the area in seconds.
Come to think of it, the Magic Department Head is quite authoritative.
I always forget because he seems like a bit of a fool normally.
"By the way, Elder Raymond."
While the train inspection was underway.
"I get that you handled the engine room... but how come there are no casualties among the passengers?"
An oblivious mage suddenly picked at Department Head Raymond.
"The train's in this state, yet aside from a few minor injuries, everyone's fine? Hard to believe."
"Well—for an incident this big, the damage was miraculously light."
At those words, the department head's furrowed brow relaxed.
"If I'd been alone, protecting the passengers might've been impossible. But!"
He covered his mouth with one hand and let out an "ohohoho" laugh.
With the other, he subtly pushed my back.
"If not for my prized disciple here, over half the passengers would've been caught in the explosion and plummeted off the cliff!"
I don't know why he's been calling me his prized disciple since earlier.
But arguing here would just waste more time explaining, so I stayed quiet.
"Elder Raymond's right! I saw it with my own two eyes!"
A mage named Benjamin, standing nearby, chimed in eagerly.
"She crushed those wyverns with a single finger from her seat!"
They were hiding in the corner during the wyvern attack. Geez, some help back then would've been nice.
"And without casting—zero time! I've never seen magic like that in my life!"
The mage raised his voice, spittle flying.
His fussing stirred up the crowd again.
"That girl? She looks too young."
"Haven't you heard the rumors around the tower lately? Elder Raymond's personal disciple from the academy crossed the threshold to grand mage."
"Right—mages dispatched to Elterion Academy all ended up as part-time lecturers there."
"Something about a student wielding natural mana freely?"
"No way—that rumored mage is...?"
Suddenly, countless gazes locked onto me.
Their eyes varied wildly.
Young mages sparkled like Estelle senior spotting a new magitech gadget.
Old ones in ornate robes scanned me up and down with critical stares.
"...Tired."
I swallowed a sigh inwardly.
To think I'd walk right into this den of magic addicts just for a subpocket dimension.
I wanted to grab my past self by the collar and shake her.
I gave a perfunctory nod and tugged at Department Head Raymond's sleeve beside me.
"Department Head."
"Hm? What is it, Lunaris student? Planning an impressive speech to these ignorant mages...?"
"Where's the lodging?"
"...Pardon?"
"Gonna head in and sleep."
The condition Department Head Raymond offered was just to come to the Mage Tower with him, right?
Sleeping through the whole schedule changes nothing.
Well... since I'm here anyway.
To secure a three-day-a-week class schedule beyond the four-day one, I should probably accept whatever this grand mage certification is.
"Miss Lunaris Evermoon. Recognizing you as a grand mage won't be easy."
A firm voice echoed through the conference room.
"Of course, I've heard the reports. Your magical achievements at the academy... and that power protecting the magitrain. Impressively practical, I'll admit."
The man before me was the Mage Tower's vice tower lord and head of some faction (I dozed off during the intro, forgot)—Elder Wilhelm, I think.
He peered down at me through his monocle and continued.
"Still, you seem to have many shortcomings, in my view."
"What's the problem?! Her accomplishments prove everything!"
Department Head Raymond, who'd been listening silently beside me, suddenly interjected.
He was furious.
"Her mastery of natural mana is unparalleled, and her signature spell that reshapes the world is top-tier without question. And you won't recognize her?!"
"Calm down, Elder Raymond. I understand cherishing your disciple, but isn't there a first principle defining a grand mage?"
Vice Tower Lord Wilhelm clicked his tongue and thumped his staff on the floor.
"A grand mage comprehends nature's laws, communes with spirits, and becomes one with the world."
Simply excelling in magic isn't enough for the title, he said, shooting me a sour look.
"Yet I sense not a shred of spirit energy from you, Miss Lunaris."
"..."
"Word is, you can't even summon spirits—they shun you outright?"
I recalled Raymond's four spirits that bolted the moment our eyes met.
Did they think I'd eat them or something? Geez.
"Subduing nature by force alone isn't magic—it's violence."
Suddenly, I wondered why I was taking this seriously.
"Thus, we need further verification of whether you can wield that power properly and if you're qualified..."
"How does this verification work?"
"Simple. Perform a few tasks under observation by me and the other elders."
The vice tower lord adopted a kindly expression and ticked off fingers.
"About... a week? You'll stay in the tower for in-depth interviews."
"And it'd be great if you gave a few lectures for the other mages during..."
"Nah, pass."
"...Hm? What was that?"
The vice tower lord's eyes bulged, nearly popping his monocle.
Department Head Raymond turned to me in shock.
"L-Lunaris student? What do you...?"
"Not doing the grand mage thing."
I turned on my heel without regret.
If I'd known it'd be this annoying, I never would've come to the Mage Tower.