Chapter 157
Chapter 157
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 157
Chapter Title: The Tower Master's Offer
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Much like the situation of floating high in Schwerin’s sky, Werner’s words lacked a sense of reality.
As Loan mulled over the distant, hard-to-grasp words, pondering their meaning and intent.
Commander Magda reacted a bit more immediately.
As they drifted gently toward the ground.
The Tower Master of Implementation and the Commander bickered with Loan between them.
“Werner, are you joking?”
“Me?”
“What is that supposed to mean? Speak plainly.”
“It’s exactly as I said. What part is so hard to understand?”
For a conversation between two of the greatest mages of the era, it was quite childish.
But perhaps because their words were laced with emotion, their mana clashed with every exchange, making it seem as if lightning were sparking high above in the sky.
What was astonishing was that it wasn't just a feeling—it was actually happening.
Loan’s eyes blinked rapidly as he glanced from side to side.
Everything he saw and heard was fascinating.
Magda shot back.
“I’m not asking for the meaning, Werner. I’m asking for your intent.”
“It’s only natural to be greedy for someone with this much talent. Didn’t you ask me if I had ever seen a true genius, Magda?”
“I recall you being quite cynical about it.”
“One must acknowledge what is true.”
“So you suddenly urged a fifteen-year-old boy to stand at the pinnacle of Schwerin?”
“I didn’t say right now.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. You’re not the type to speak of the distant future.”
Finding the situation absurd, they both let out a small laugh.
Though it was a squabble, there was no deep malice between them.
At least, that’s how it seemed to Loan, who was stuck in the middle.
“In any case, Loan is…”
The two paid no mind, even as the person in question looked back and forth between them.
Werner continued with his rather bold words.
“His talent isn’t meant to stay at the Runner level, is it? Wouldn’t it be faster to aim for Tower Master of Implementation? He’s already shown he can surpass four of the Tower Masters.”
This time, Magda couldn’t argue.
It was true that his promotion was incredibly fast, as he had effectively become a Runner the moment he joined the Union.
However, it was difficult to guarantee the next step would be just as easy.
One couldn’t become a Seeker on skill alone. It required earning the trust and faith of one’s colleagues and fellow Runners.
The years spent together and the achievements accumulated during that time were absolutely necessary.
But considering Loan’s age, it was something that could be viewed with plenty of patience.
As if reading Magda’s mind, Werner continued in a slightly softer tone.
“If he’s a talent you acknowledge and a junior you cherish, shouldn’t you be able to offer him a better future? As I recall, you were trying to be a good adult.”
“…”
Magda watched Loan and Werner as they descended diagonally against the backdrop of the sky.
It was incredibly slow.
It felt as if they were deliberately dragging out the time to finish their conversation.
Even so, she couldn’t quite think of a rebuttal.
“Magda, you can’t possibly think my offer is lacking. This isn’t the time to recall past grudges. There’s no need to be emotional.”
Lacking? Far from it. It was groundbreaking.
“Ah, are you worried about the Union’s power diminishing? Well, as a Commander, that is something you must consider. The group sometimes needs to be prioritized over an individual’s future. Schwerin is the same, so there’s no need to blame yourself.”
Thinking he had gained the upper hand, he even offered advice mixed with consolation.
Magda bit her bright red lower lip.
She reflected on her actions.
Had she exposed Loan too early out of a desire to show him off? Was this carelessness born from that?
*‘No, if there was ever an appropriate time, it’s now.’*
Her judgment as Commander had not been wrong.
With the political situation between nations growing tense, it was necessary to make Schwerin take a firm stance.
It wasn’t as if she should be ashamed that Loan was the one best suited to the task.
*‘Perhaps, just as we have expectations for Loan, Werner also saw something in that brief moment.’*
Thinking of it that way, it made some sense.
After all, mages often displayed prophetically accurate intuition at the most unexpected times.
*‘He must have decided it was the right thing to do, whether for himself or for Schwerin.’*
Werner’s offer was so astonishing that it plunged her into such complex thoughts in an instant.
It was something she had never once considered, a possibility she hadn’t even entertained.
The same was true for Loan, the person at the center of it all.
Seeing that Magda had clearly missed her chance to respond, Loan caught Werner’s attention with a look.
“Hmm?”
Blinking his mystical, sea-colored eyes, Loan asked.
“Is it good to be the Tower Master of Implementation?”
“…”
It was a question that could be judged as pure or naive, but considering the current situation, it was also an incredibly weighty one.
Furthermore.
It also had the nuance of asking a merchant to convince him how good the product for sale was.
An attitude that placed himself in a position of absolute superiority.
It didn’t feel arrogant.
Inwardly impressed, Werner opened his mouth.
“Regardless of what position the Tower Master of Implementation holds, it’s an offer with no downside for you, Loan. It can’t be easy to focus on self-development while constantly carrying out missions. Wouldn’t it be better to lead all the mages here and realize your ambitions? You must have confirmed by now that this is a place full of things to learn and the support to do so.”
Loan nodded at the smoothly delivered answer.
He thought it was a very attractive offer.
However.
“I don’t believe that answered my question.”
“I had that response prepared and was waiting to use it; it seemed a waste not to. You’re right. I offered you the position without properly explaining what it entails.”
“Yes. I would like to know.”
“The Tower Master of Implementation is the one who stands at the pinnacle of Schwerin. A being who receives reverence and respect. They become the philosophy of the age, the symbol of mages, and ultimately lead the nation. It is the only position among the seven duchies that can be attained through ability alone, regardless of status or age. You can lead the Magic Tower and all of Schwerin according to your will.”
“That’s amazing. I imagine such an honor comes with great responsibility.”
A prudent and thoughtful assessment.
Werner gave a wry smile.
He had already completely shed his preconceptions about Loan, but now he truly understood why Magda cherished him so.
He felt a strange sense of aversion.
Could he really feel jealous of a mere child?
He deliberately cleared his throat.
His voice, carried on the wind, was as solemn as his words.
“Implementation is the result. Magic that is not implemented is not magic. Therefore, the Tower Master of Implementation, unlike the other Tower Masters, must always produce results.”
“What kind of results?”
“The very existence of Schwerin is the result. To maintain the duchy. To keep the Magic Tower standing tall and secure.”
“Is that why you are heading out now?”
“It is.”
Loan tilted his head.
“I understand your reaction. The Union and others think Schwerin is indifferent to the affairs of the world. You must have thought so too, which is why you suggested the Tower Masters go out and be with the people.”
“I did.”
“Why do you think Schwerin remains secluded within its Magic Tower?”
“Wasn’t it to focus on the pursuit of truth, the understanding of magic, and the strengthening of individual mages’ abilities?”
“That is part of it. But the more important reason is that we don’t have to.”
“…”
“Schwerin has me. The Tower Master of Implementation is responsible for Schwerin’s well-being. I can’t attend to every minor detail, but when something arises that threatens the duchy’s security, like today, I take appropriate action.”
“The Tower Master acts personally?”
“It has been that way for a long time. That is how this nation is maintained. Under the name of Tower Master Werner.”
It was a bold and confident declaration, claiming that he suppressed the provocations and threats of enemies with his name alone.
He was saying that Schwerin’s ability to maintain its status as a duchy was solely thanks to him.
Loan didn’t dislike Werner’s attitude. He felt there was a part of him that was similar.
And to have offered such a crucial position was tantamount to acknowledging that Loan had the ability for it.
It was something to be proud of.
Loan glanced back at Magda.
“It does seem like a good offer. Though I still have my doubts, as I don’t believe I have the capability for it.”
Magda shook her head.
“No. You are more than capable. What’s suspicious is the timing of this offer.”
Werner interjected, trying to pull the flow of conversation back.
“There may be differing opinions on the timing. You may take your time to think about it.”
“I will do that. Thank you again for the offer. However…”
Loan paused for a moment.
That alone was enough to draw more focused attention. Werner even felt a strange sense of tension.
His words continued.
“I recall what you said earlier, Tower Master. About assertions and power.”
“What I said?”
Loan turned and raised his gaze.
The external mages were still mesmerized by the view from the sky.
“You said it would be a place where one asserts their will, and that one must prove their strength to back up their claims. Surely that applies to the Tower Master of Implementation as well, right?”
“Hm? Ha, haha. Hahahaha!”
Werner laughed heartily.
It gave the impression that the sky-staircase flowing to the ground wavered for a moment.
While Magda turned her head to compose the smile that had spread across her face, Werner spoke.
“Showing strength to assert one’s opinion is the same for everyone. Whether you are a challenger or a Tower Master. That is the Magic Tower.”
“Very well. Then I will watch closely how you resolve the problem that has arisen for Schwerin’s security at our destination. If you can prove you have the ability befitting your offer, then I will lend you my ear.”
Considering their social positions and biological ages, it was a bold thing to say, but Werner was the one who had brought up the next Tower Master based on ability alone, without regard for such things.
He couldn’t find fault with it.
“…Interesting. I shall do just that.”
After his reply, Werner couldn’t find any more words to say.
Magda was proud of Loan for saying what she wanted to say.
In the silence that followed.
Their slow descent suddenly began to accelerate at some point.
The sky-staircase flowed north of the Magic Tower.
The mountain range that served as the border between Scion and Schwerin spread out like a curtain in the distance.
Loan had passed by White Peak Mountain somewhere around there.
They had long since passed the vast, sea-like lake. They had also crossed the borders of the city of Schwerin.
For some time now, no private houses had been visible. A deep forest was spreading out far below their feet.
A moment later.
They all landed—*thud, thud-thud*—in a forest clearing that wouldn’t have been visible from the side.
The four who landed last seemed to be having a rather difficult time.
Though the degree varied, everyone needed a moment to feel the texture of the ground and regain their stability.
After standing still for a moment, Werner spoke.
“This is a difficult place to reach on foot. Even if one managed to get in, they would likely get lost in the forest. An ordinary person would have trouble leaving with their sanity intact.”
Loan also vaguely sensed it.
It wasn’t on the level of Rhodes’s Forgotten Wheat Field, but the mana rising from the ground was considerable.
It wasn’t dark mana, but—
Even pure mana could be overwhelming if one suddenly encountered such a high concentration.
Of course, for Loan, it was a truly welcome environment. What on earth was this place?
Werner’s next words revealed the reason.
“Beyond that hill is a mana stone shipping yard.”
“…”
There was silence.
Loan didn’t react much, as the answer solved his curiosity, but looking around, it seemed the others were silent out of shock.
Even the four Tower Masters’ eyes were wide.
Magda asked.
“Are you saying you’ve brought people from outside the Magic Tower to the very foundation of Schwerin?”
“It’s not the only shipping yard. But it is true that this is a top-secret location known only to the Tower Master of Implementation.”
“Why bring them here?”
“It has likely already been seized by Brien, so there’s no reason to hide it anymore.”
Werner spoke of this potentially shocking news in a very calm manner.
“The reason I came here is to retake this place and seal it. And while I’m at it, I suppose I must clearly show what kind of person the Tower Master of Implementation is.”
He smiled as he looked at Loan.
