The Magic Tower Lord is Coming! (2)
In the southeastern region of the Valkadian Empire lies the massive Baekun River and the sheer cliffs carved along its banks. This place is notorious for frequent mana storms, earning it the nickname Thunder Cliffs among the masses. It's undoubtedly a harsh environment for human habitation. Yet atop these steep cliffs stands a stone tower so ancient and majestic that "antique" feels like the perfect descriptor. Its name is the Magic Tower.
A haven for those walking the path of magic, delving into spells and savoring knowledge—gathering only the so-called geniuses, at the very least the prodigies among them. And in the topmost chamber known as the Tower Lord's quarters, within what insiders call the Borderless Library, resides the undisputed greatest mage of the Valkadian Empire at all times. Her name is Amelia Luminis. With her long, elegantly tied-back dark purple hair and deep crimson eyes, she exudes an intellect that borders on otherworldly.
"Tower Lord, regarding that new incantation formula we discussed before—it seems they need more research funding. Lord Luce made the request personally."
The woman with light green hair, clutching a few documents as she reported, was Blanche Radner. She's one of the few top-tier mages in the tower, serving as its chief administrator and handling all practical operations. She's also seen as Amelia's right-hand woman.
"Tell them to take a hike."
"...Why are you always so indifferent about it?"
"I'm not being indifferent."
"Anyone can see you are. You're not just propping your chin up—you're twisting your face all up."
Haa. Sighing, Blanche gave up on prying. Arguing in circles with someone whose pride reached the heavens was pointless anyway. Best to just play dumb until she spilled it herself.
"Well, if there's nothing else, I'll be heading out..."
"Wait, hold on."
"......"
As expected. The moment she turned to leave, showing no interest, a voice stopped her in her tracks. Huffing another sigh at the predictability, Blanche turned back without a flicker of expression. If you're gonna do this, why bother with the pride in the first place?
"By any chance, has my disciple sent any letters or anything?"
That's what this is about? Seeing Amelia hem and haw before getting to the point, Blanche finally pieced together why she'd been sulking.
"...No, she hasn't. And you, of all people, know your disciple best—she's not the type to send well-wishes by letter."
"What do you know about my disciple to talk like that?!"
"My apologies—those were your exact words two weeks ago, Tower Lord."
"I can say it. You can't!"
"......"
Ah, should I just quit? Blanche absently patted the resignation letter she now carried like a talisman in her pocket. She'd surely joined the Magic Tower to delve deeper into magic. How had she ended up as babysitter to this childlike tower lord?
I shouldn't have listened back then. The problem started when she was first appointed chief mage and eagerly accepted an elder mage's offhand remark. Apparently, serving as the tower lord's secretary came with generous funding for personal research—and the chance to observe the lord's work up close, which would be invaluable. She'd practically volunteered for the role. And that was the biggest regret of her fifteen years in the tower.
"Anyway, she hasn't sent any letters."
Forcing down her irritation and laying out the facts, Blanche watched Amelia throw a full tantrum.
"That insolent disciple of mine! During summer break, no less—not coming to pay respects to her heavenly master, and not even a single message?!"
"Please don't do that on the chair. Do you know how much the last one you broke cost...?"
Blanche pinched her forehead watching the tower lord thrash about on the massive seat like a spoiled brat mid-tantrum. It was embarrassing that this woman was hailed continent-wide as the Scales, the supreme authority on magic. Not that it was wrong. No matter how much Blanche saw Amelia as an ageless brat, she never underestimated her magical prowess. If anything, knowing how exceptional she was only amplified the disconnect, sending shivers down her spine.
"Not this again. Last time you were all, 'Once she's off to the academy, it's her path to walk,' striking poses left and right..."
"That's that, and this is this! She's free to do whatever at the academy, but she should at least check in with her master regularly!"
"Even the most doting mother in her prime wouldn't be this clingy."
"I'm her mother and her master! Doing both at once, this is nothing!"
The twisted logic only made Blanche more annoyed. And knowing the special bond between Amelia and Neriel, she couldn't even deny it outright.
"Haa, if you're that worried, why not go see her yourself? Sitting here throwing fits won't solve anything."
Unable to endure it, Blanche grumbled. Deep down, she knew it too. Dropping critical research and tower duties to rush to the academy over one disciple would be crossing a line—insanity, even. It was just a nudge: If you're not going that far, then shut up and stay quiet.
Pang!
"Of course! Why didn't I think of that?!"
"...Pardon?"
But this tower lord's love for her disciple apparently ran deeper than expected. Slapping the desk like she'd hit on a brilliant scheme, Amelia shot to her feet. Staring in bewilderment, Blanche watched her snap her fingers casually.
"Blanche, contact the academy right now. Tell them I'll do that lecture they've been hounding me about since two years ago."
"Hold on, Tower Lord. Do you know how much sweat I shed turning that down? And now..."
"Then you won't have to sweat anymore. Send it tomorrow. The principal will be thrilled for the prestige."
"......"
Of course the principal would be ecstatic—snagging the continent's top mage as a guest lecturer. But the fallout would all land on her. Her office was already buried in paperwork, and now she'd handle the extra load while Amelia was away too.
I've lost my mind. Why had she even voiced that foolish thought? She knew better than anyone this woman dove headfirst into anything that caught her fancy, consequences be damned. Opening her mouth had just piled on unnecessary suffering.
"Oh, and I'm clueless about directions there. You'll come with me, so keep that in mind."
"...I have work left."
"Do it after."
"Can I write my resignation after too?"
"After signing a lifetime contract with the tower? Please."
"Right, yeah."
After being named chief mage, the elders had tempted her with promises of an elder seat someday, leading to that contract. Realizing anew it was her life's biggest mistake, Blanche slumped her shoulders and exited the chamber.
Today, the moon shone annoyingly bright.
"So, the Magic Tower Lord is coming because she's curious about her disciple—your—life... and specifically wants to see me too?"
"Yep."
"This is..."
Hearing the out-of-the-blue news from Neriel left me a bit dumbfounded. The tower lord visiting was surprise enough, but why did a heavyweight like her want to meet me?
"Did I piss her off somehow?"
"Piss her off how? You ever even met my master?"
"No, but."
"Then you're good. She's probably just curious about the commoner who beat me. Just exchange a few polite words."
"Hmm."
Fair enough. Her genius disciple losing to some academy commoner? That'd shock any master. I trusted she wouldn't grab me by the collar yelling, How dare you beat my disciple?!
"Hate it? I'll tell her no."
"Not hating it. Just wondering how to talk to her. She's not picky, right?"
"Picky? Nah, she's too laid-back—that's the problem. Like, she just goes with the flow."
"Huh. Unexpected."
I'd pictured the almighty tower lord as super strict, peering down over glasses or something.
"Nothing special to watch out for?"
"Nah, probably not."
"Cool. Tell her I'll see her."
Not like I had veto power anyway. No reason to refuse, so accepting was easy.
"Surprising."
"What is?"
"Figured with your personality, you'd pull some 'How dare a slave refuse their master?' crap and say no."
"Hey, what do you take me for?"
Her slave term was ending anyway. Just one semester—six months exact. No point dredging it up now. I only teased her with it occasionally for fun.
"Anyway, I'll pass it on. She said next week, so you'll meet soon... Ah."
"What? Forget something?"
As the curt girl waved and turned to leave, she stopped short. My head tilted. More to say? Smart as she was, even she forgot stuff sometimes—interesting. Then suddenly, she glanced up at me like a puppy needing to pee.
"...Um, I forgot to mention this."
"Spit it out already, dude."
Unlike her, she was beating around the bush. I thumped my chest in frustration, and she turned her head about 45 degrees aside.
"Master might have the wrong idea."
"Wrong idea about what?"
"When we were messaging last time, she found the letter you sent me."
"Letter?"
Had I ever sent her one? Oh—maybe the note after the inter-class matches, when I was hospitalized, telling her to grab my stuff?
What'd I write again? Oh, right...
Slave, remember our deal? Your master’s coming to see you tomorrow, so wait up!
...Yeah. That was it. And her master—the top mage of the era—saw it? Oh, shit.