Chapter 72
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 72
Chapter Title: Mage of the Mage Tower (2)
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"I hear Lunaris Evermoon is coming to the Mage Tower."
A few days earlier.
The conference room buzzed with excitement for the first time in ages at the casual remark from Wilhelm, the vice tower master who was managing the Mage Tower's affairs in place of the tower master, secluded in intensive research.
"Ooooh...!"
"I-Is that true?!"
"Raymond Elder contacted us directly. She'll visit within the week for the archmage certification exam."
At those words, the hunched, turtle-necked mages straightened their spines like rods.
It was hardly news—Lunaris Evermoon's name had been the talk of the Mage Tower for ages.
The youngest archmage candidate? Impressive, sure.
But what mattered more was that she was the one and only mage who wielded raw natural mana as it was.
Some envied her overwhelming talent, others ground their teeth in jealousy.
But everyone's wish was the same.
'Please, just once.'
To sit across from her and debate magic for 24 hours straight...
To dissect... no, explore how she senses mana, what her brain structure must be like...
How she harnesses natural mana... I want to know so badly...!
The problem was that this once-in-a-generation genius avoided all public activity.
Normally, a kid her age achieving that much would strut around bragging everywhere, arrogance piercing the heavens.
Was she humble? Shy?
Even her mentor was a case in point.
Raymond Cloud, the ultimate braggart who touted even breathing as an accomplishment at his age.
So why was his disciple Lunaris so quiet?
This was mystery on another level.
If only master and disciple had split their personalities halfway, it'd be perfect.
And there was another factor fueling the Mage Tower's curiosity.
The mages dispatched to Elterion Academy to observe Lunaris.
One day, contact with them just... stopped. They'd signed on as temporary lecturers and hunkered down there for good.
[We won't return to the Mage Tower.]
[Truth... lies here...!!]
Their last messages made it seem like they'd fallen under hypnosis.
They'd clearly witnessed something monumental.
Not knowing what it was drove everyone insane.
And now, the star herself, Lunaris, was finally—truly—coming to the Mage Tower on her own two feet.
"We need to schedule a seminar right away. This conference room belongs to our Elemental School for the time being."
"What nonsense! Lunaris's magic stems from natural mana, doesn't it? This time, our Pure Magic School should take the lead."
"I heard her specialty is telekinesis magic. Naturally, our Telekinesis School should host her."
"Quiet down! There's procedure for everything. The elders' council will handle her schedule!"
"Wait! Our Free School is the one who..."
It was no wonder the mages were firing up, spittle flying.
This was their chance.
They had to make contact somehow, glimpse even a sliver of her genius.
"Everyone, calm down."
At that moment, Wilhelm from the head seat spoke in a stern voice.
"If you act this desperate, how uncomfortable will a young student feel?"
"True..."
"Come to think of it, she's just mid-teens, right? Haha."
The mages sheepishly took their seats.
Wilhelm fiddled with his monocle, a smile revealing his obvious intentions.
"She's here for archmage certification, isn't she?"
Sweeping his gaze over the now-somewhat-calmed room, he continued with that transparent smile.
"We'll make full use of the process. Under the guise of examination, keep her here as long as possible."
The pretext was plentiful.
Lunaris's magic diverged from the mainstream—mimicking nature via spirit borrowing.
In other words, perfect excuse: couldn't evaluate with existing standards.
"Verify her magical insight with all-night debates, magic demonstrations... propose joint research with other mages."
Wilhelm's eyes gleamed.
Truth be told, his motives were more complex.
'A mere academy freshman?'
He'd spent nearly a century, his whole life immersed in research, communing with spirits to reach archmage.
Now some kid—no notable face among magic elders, origins unknown—dared claim the same seat?
'Can't hand over the archmage title so easily...'
Of course, as a mage, he wouldn't arbitrarily downplay her achievements.
But recognition demanded rigor.
He wanted to teach this young, arrogant genius that the Mage Tower's—and magic world's—traditions and authority weren't to be taken lightly.
Or honestly... bully her a bit.
"We'll keep her at least a week. Elders of each school, prepare thoroughly to test Lunaris."
"Ooooh...!"
"We trust you, Vice Tower Master!"
Exclamations erupted throughout the room.
Leave it to lifelong mages—the mood ignited like a festival eve in seconds.
"Question list first! Time to dig into her secrets. Heh heh heh!"
"Hey, you! Request access to all papers on natural mana and ancient magic!"
"We'll prep gifts. Heard she's into magitech—top-grade magic stones should do."
"Instant-cast without incantation... how powerful? Wanna take a hit... haah, haah...!"
Thus, countless Mage Tower mages eagerly awaited their meeting with Lunaris.
But they overlooked one fatal fact.
That Lunaris hated nothing more than hassle.
*
"I don't want the archmage thing."
I turned on my heel without hesitation.
If I'd known it'd be this annoying, I wouldn't have come to the Mage Tower at all.
Forget subspatial whatever—I'd be lounging in my sweet Linea Hall suite, basking in AC, sleeping in.
"W-Wait! Lunaris!"
Dean Raymond hurried after me in a panic.
"Giving up the archmage title?! After coming all this way. Your name would echo in imperial history, an eternal honor..."
"Don't really need honor."
I yawned lazily in reply.
"Only went for it to bundle all the hassle and live easy."
Like skipping Thursday classes for the next seven semesters.
Or professors unable to complain about napping in magic lectures.
That's the value of the title to me.
Just an indulgence pass for comfy naps.
"But if the verification's this tiring, it's backwards."
They said just show face—got baited.
"Looks like duties galore... Pass."
Dean Raymond went mute as a honeyed clam at my firm stance.
Then, Vice Tower Master Wilhelm on the platform spoke coldly.
"Listen. No pride as a mage? Think the archmage title's that light?!"
"Feels too heavy for me."
I shrugged nonchalantly, stepping toward the door.
"W-Wait!!"
A mage from the corner shot up, shouting at me.
Ah... what now?
"Our Free School fully supports Lunaris Evermoon's archmage promotion!"
"...?"
What's with him?
"Lunaris, spare a moment? Top-grade tea leaves and treats ready!"
"..."
"A-And... right! Heard you're into magitech. Got a premium mana conductor as a gift..."
"Sneaking in line?!"
As I turned, tempted, a yell erupted from the opposite side.
"Lady Lunaris is our Telekinesis School elder!"
"W-What?! Who decided to sneak her into your school?!"
"Taming a wyvern pack with pure telekinesis—need I say more? That's our field!"
That sparked it—the solemn room turned marketplace chaos.
"Could you teach our school mages briefly? Anytime—we'll adjust!"
"Wait! Our Elemental School acknowledges Lunaris Evermoon's archmage status."
"Us too!"
They all stood, fawning over me.
"Vice Tower Master! When did archmage certification get so strict?"
"What era is this? Still so rigid... tsk tsk!"
"Lose this talent to stubbornness—you taking responsibility?!"
Even pointing fingers at Wilhelm without shame.
"Y-You lot...!"
Ah, he's pissed.
Face flushing red-purple, ready to burst—and yep.
"Everyone... SHUT UP!!"
Mana-charged voice smothered all noise.
Silence fell like cold water.
"Daring... daring to disrupt this sacred conference room..."
Vice tower master trembled, etching a magic circle in the air.
"Treating the Mage Tower's highest honor like trash... I won't stand it!"
He raised his staff high, slamming it down.
-Rumble rumble rumble!
The floor screamed as massive dark roots surged before the door.
Branches grew ceiling-piercing, intertwining to seal the entrance airtight.
"Lerad's Bark...!"
"World Tree branches—haven't seen in ages."
"Always perfectly executed."
Mages gulped, murmuring.
Signature spell, I guess?
I tapped the bark: tok, tok.
Solid. Dense mana weave.
Impressive for a hasty rage-cast.
"Academy might indulge your whims... but not here, in the Mage Tower."
Vice tower master crossed arms, chin up, looking down arrogantly.
"Came in easy—leaving's another story."
"Hey, Vice Tower Master."
Cut the boring lecture.
"Don't bother measuring fussily."
I nodded at the wooden wall.
"Just clear this, call it archmage certification done?"
"...What?"
He scoffed at my deadpan suggestion.
"Hah, fine. Give it a try."
Arrogance plain on his face.
"Even top spirit fire magic takes dozens of minutes to burn this—"
Before he finished, I pressed my palm to the door.
Five large and small circles floated vertically at even intervals on the trunk.
The top one soon turned pure white.
"[Starlight Invocation.]"
⟨ Starlight Invocation ⟩
A pure white light pillar engulfed the entire tree.
"...!"
"W-What's this?!"
The blinding white faded slowly, then vanished.
"..."
The door-sealing trunk was spotless, as if never there.
Glancing back, Wilhelm, Dean Raymond, and the mages gaped like statues.
I shrugged at the vice tower master.
"Doesn't burn with fire, but burns with starlight, huh."