At the Crossroads of Life and Death
The fracture in their quiet days came without warning.
"The Magic Tower Master has... suddenly collapsed."
It was not an unfathomable tragedy. The Master was well past his prime, an old man whose days were naturally drawing to an end. Yet the fact that it was not unexpected did nothing to soften the blow; it was more than enough to shatter someone's world.
"...What?"
Peria stared at the messenger in utter disbelief.
Beside her, Einzel paused in his magic studies and looked over as well. Under their piercing gazes, the messenger bowed his head deeply.
"I believe it would be best for you to see him at once."
"...Understood."
Snapping her tome shut with a sharp thud, Peria rose to her feet. Einzel stood with her. As her teeth began worrying at her fingernails, Einzel watched her in silence, well aware that no words could offer comfort right now. Her pace was brisk and frayed with nerves as she hurried down the hall, and Einzel stayed close behind.
Moving through the plain, immaculate corridors, he kept his eyes on Peria's back. At the time, he did not yet understand the grief of preparing to say a final farewell to a loved one nearing the end of their natural life.
Led by their guide, Peria and Einzel soon stepped into a private chamber. The air inside carried the distinct, dry scent of ancient paper—an impression instantly vindicated by the towering stacks of books crammed against every wall. Past a cluttered desk strewn with sheets of parchment and spilled inkwells lay a solitary bed.
An old man was resting there.
"Gramps!"
Peria rushed to his side.
"What on earth happened so suddenly? Are you feeling all right?"
She pulled a chair up to the bedside, her eyes urgently searching his face. The old man let out a hacking dry cough or two before offering a faint, rasping chuckle.
"Don't make a fuss. It's just from wrestling with those cursed parchments and breathing in too much moldy dust, that's all. I'll be fine in no time."
"You should have gone outside and gotten some sunlight! How could you let it come to this...?"
"Good grief, girl. You're treating me like a withered houseplant."
"Oh, honestly..."
"Look who's talking. You spend more time holed up in your research than anyone, yet here you are lecturing me."
"Be quiet! I'm young, and you're—"
Peria bit her tongue, catching herself just in time. What kind of thoughtless thing was that to say in front of a bedridden man? But the Magic Tower Master only smirked knowingly.
"I'm what? Speak up if you've got something to say, brat! Fine, must be nice being young. That's only for a fleeting moment, so stop running yourself ragged. It all comes back to bite you when you're older anyway."
Hearing his teasing, Peria's face relaxed slightly. Seeing him smile like that gave her hope that he would recover soon enough.
The Master grimaced at her softened expression.
"Stop that, you're creeping me out. You were adorable when you were little, but the moment you grew up, you stopped listening to a single word I said. Why get sentimental now? Anyway, is that young man beside you the Hero?"
"Yeah, that's him. You've never seen him before?"
"Didn't I just tell you? I've been cooped up doing research this whole time. Well, whatever the case, he's certainly handsome enough for a Hero. Tall, too. Is he your lover?"
"Wh—no, he's not! I've been teaching him magic since back at the Holy Land, so I'm just giving him a few lessons, that's all!"
"Oh, is that so? Here I was hoping you might put a grandchild in my arms in my old age, and you go and cruelly shatter an old man's dreams. Fine job, really!"
"Hey! Why do you always have to phrase things like that?"
Even as she protested, a smile touched Peria's lips. The sight of him acting as lively as ever brought her immense relief.
"Right, I'll be back on my feet in no time, so get out of my sight, you unfilial brat."
Hearing him joke to the very end, Peria replied warmly.
"Yeah, yeah, I hear you, so just focus on getting better and standing up already."
Peria turned toward the door, and Einzel followed her out into the hall.
"At least his color didn't look too bad, which is a relief... but what on earth made him collapse?"
Her face hardened once more, her heels clicking sharply against the stone floor as she set off in a purposeful direction.
"Where are we going?" Einzel asked.
"The Magic Tower has its own dedicated healers. Their raw healing power can't compare to priests, but they're far better at diagnosing what an illness is, and they manage to treat conditions priests can't touch. I'm going to ask them what kind of state he's really in."
"Um... that man just now was the Magic Tower Master, right?"
"Yeah. And my master."
"You two seemed very close."
"Well, I was an orphan. Apparently, my master happened across me after I was abandoned and brought me in. We've lived together since I was little, so he's practically family—no, he is family."
"I see."
"I'm sorry he collapsed out of nowhere... Were you startled?"
"No, I'm fine."
"You always say you're fine. Are you an idiot? Can't you say something else for once?"
"What else should I say?"
"...I don't know. Don't ask me, dummy."
She had snapped on instinct, but when Einzel answered with such solemn earnestness, she found herself at a loss for words.
"Oh, Peria!"
As they walked toward the medical wing, a woman's voice called out from behind, prompting them to turn around.
"May," Peria said, spotting her.
The newcomer was a woman with short brown hair, her cheeks dusted with freckles and flushed with a bright, cheerful smile. Einzel thought to himself that she seemed exceptionally lively.
"I saw you coming out of the Master's room earlier. Did something happen?"
"Ah, they said the old man collapsed. Fortunately, his color didn't look bad, but I'm on my way to see the healers just in case."
"Oh, the Master? No one said anything to me..."
"He probably only told me."
"...Right, I guess so." May paused for a moment before brightening again. "Oh, by the way! Who's that next to you? Could he be the Hero?"
"Yeah, that's him."
"Hello," Einzel offered with a polite greeting.
"Ah, wow, you're really handsome! Well, I'm busy, so I'll be off!"
"Sure."
Peria gave a halfhearted wave and turned back around.
"Is she a friend of yours?" Einzel asked.
"As if. Friend? Please. She learned magic from the old man alongside me, but she's carried an inferiority complex ever since she fell behind me. Don't get close to her."
"Ah... all right."
Walking as though she had laid eyes on something foul, Peria hurried her pace, and Einzel had to push himself to keep up.
Before long, they arrived at the healers' quarters. The heavy, concentrated stench of medicinal herbs hung thick in the air, causing Einzel to grimace slightly; his sense of smell had always been sharp.
Peria immediately sought out the highest-ranking healer, and the Chief Healer spoke upon seeing her.
"Ah, Lady Peria. The future Magic Tower Master."
"Yes. I came to find out the old man's condition. Can you tell me?"
"Yes. To be frank... the Master is in a very serious state."
"What?"
"His organs have deteriorated with advanced age, compounded by various complications. His heart, in particular, is in critical condition."
"His heart?"
"Yes. As you know, mana is stored within the heart before being released through magic. It might be different if he were young, but expending vast amounts of mana at his age is extremely dangerous."
"When the old man said... he collapsed while researching magic..."
"Precisely. Given his years, he likely overextended himself by channeling mana, which caused him to collapse. Therefore, he must under no circumstances use mana. The same applies to overworking himself with research. Old age has severely depleted his physical strength..."
"Then can he at least get back on his feet soon?"
"Well... should he refrain from using mana, he might live a few years longer. However, I must emphasize that using even the slightest bit of mana could lead to grave consequences. If he had only drawn on his mana in moderation, it might be different, but the Master has endured prolonged strain to end up in this condition."
"Damn it..."
Peria clutched her head in distress.
"All right. I'll have a talk with him."
Einzel watched Peria closely, sensing her deep anxiety for the person who had cared for her since childhood. Biting her lip, she turned and marched out of the room.
"That old man... he lied straight to my face..."
Peria ruffled her hair in sheer agitation before turning to Einzel.
"Sorry. I don't think I can teach you any more today. Come back tomorrow. There's something I need to discuss with him."
Einzel gave an understanding nod.
"All right. I hope he makes a swift recovery."
"...Thanks."
Peria saw Einzel off until he left the Magic Tower, then turned back toward the Master's quarters.
"Gramps! What happened? You said you were fine!"
"...Did the healer blab? Loose-lipped little rascal."
"They said the more mana you channel, the shorter your lifespan becomes! I don't care what kind of research you've been working yourself to the bone for... stop doing it right now."
"I won't, girl. Do you have any idea what I'm researching?"
"What does that matter?! Isn't your health the most important thing?!"
"Wrong. My health doesn't matter. What I'm researching is a spell that might just save the souls of countless people. That is what I'm creating. And it's on the verge of completion."
"Then... then at least don't use your mana! I'm worried about you, damn it..."
"...All right, brat. I'll look after myself, so don't fret."
Peria shot the Master a skeptical glare. With an unsatisfied huff through her nose, she turned and took her leave.
And a few days later, word came that the Magic Tower Master was in critical condition.