Chapter 175
Chapter 175
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 175
Chapter Title: The Tower Master's Badge
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Amused by the silence, the guardians laughed inwardly.
As the air trembled, the Tower Masters exchanged bewildered glances.
They couldn't tell if he was mocking them.
Loan asked Magda.
“Do we have some time before we head back?”
“I’ve already sent a thorough report by letter. If you want to rest and recover from the journey, we can leave later.”
“No. I was thinking of teaching the Tower Masters how to breathe.”
The Tower Masters confirmed that Loan wasn't joking.
The five of them began to voice their disjointed thoughts.
“Breathing…”
“He can’t be holding a grudge. And in cases like this, breaking old habits is the most important thing, so perhaps he’s speaking symbolically.”
“Hmm. He could mean it literally. We have to start over with mana cultivation, so it’s only natural, but still…”
“On the contrary, this is essential. We must learn it, even if it’s difficult, and master it quickly. That’s how we must protect what’s ours.”
“Yes. We should see this as an opportunity. A day like this won’t come again easily.”
After the Master of the Manifestation Tower encouraged the others with a resolute voice, for the next several hours…
Loan truly had the Tower Masters do nothing but repeat the process of drawing in mana through their breath, circulating it through their center, and exhaling it.
He literally just made them breathe.
And he did it in the way he knew best.
It was something that could have bruised their pride, yet the Tower Masters had no complaints about it.
Instead, they even tried to imbue the moment with meaning, considering it quite significant that the creator of the Circles himself was personally guiding them through the first step.
Even so, they couldn’t erase the bitter expressions that naturally formed on their faces.
The problem was the location and the method.
The method—sitting in a formal posture on a busy roadside, closing their eyes, and regulating their breathing—was difficult to comprehend.
They were baffled as to why such conditions were necessary.
But since Loan had told them to do it, they had no choice but to follow.
“You must concentrate. If you can focus on your inner self amidst the chaos, the effect will be maximized.”
From Loan’s perspective, he was simply choosing the most direct method, as he had learned this way himself and was confident in its effectiveness.
It didn't matter whether they could see mana or not.
Without such an inner eye, they had no choice but to heighten all five senses and feel the world’s mana through synesthesia.
‘It would actually be better if it were noisier and more chaotic.’
Fortunately, the rare sight of the Tower Masters gathered in one place, sitting on the ground with their eyes closed for a long time, became quite a spectacle for the crowd.
More and more people gathered.
A large ring of onlookers formed around the Tower Masters, craning their necks to see. Some of them had lost their homes and families and were mired in despair.
While some were curious, others expressed their displeasure, wondering what they were doing so leisurely at a time like this.
But amidst the murmuring crowd, the Tower Masters were serene.
Extremely so.
Even as time passed, they didn't move an inch.
Watching them, a different thought began to sprout in the people’s minds.
Who were these people?
They were the lofty mages who lived only within their towers, the highest-ranking mages of all—the Tower Masters. And among them was the Duke of Schwerin, the Master of the Manifestation Tower.
Upon realizing the significance, the sight of them sitting motionless on the cold, dirty roadside began to look almost sacred.
It felt as if they were repenting for creating this situation and consoling those who had suffered.
And indeed, at a certain moment…
The Tower Masters began to focus inward, gathering mana with each breath, leaving only the earnest intent to understand the Circles.
Within the breaths they drew, the breaths of the people were also contained.
Though their eyes were closed, they could feel a strange warmth.
This instilled in them a sense of responsibility.
The responsibility to resolve the chaos of war. The responsibility to protect Schwerin and the Magic Towers more securely in the future.
At a time when an unspoken, inexpressible bond was forming between the mages and the people…
-That’s enough. You may open your eyes.
Loan roused them with a mental message.
These were still sensitive topics to speak of out loud.
-Even if you couldn’t see inside, I believe you felt the flow and could visualize it in your minds.
-Only faintly.
Werner’s reply represented everyone’s thoughts.
-That’s enough. To have come this far after only a few hours is quite impressive. It seems you all have a talent for it.
He was being sincere.
He could see their achievements with his own eyes, and he had ended the breathing practice once the five Tower Masters showed the faint possibility of circulation.
They were high-ranking mages, after all.
Their intellect for understanding magic was exceptional, and they were accustomed to controlling their own bodies.
However, those being praised found the situation very unfamiliar.
-…
-But this is just the beginning. You must train steadily like this to open the vertical path and forge it into a Circle through powerful intent. After that, you must open the horizontal path, and then the first diagonal path, in order.
-…
-For now, focus on the breathing method you’ve just learned. Next, refine it so you can maintain it even while moving.
-While moving?
-If your heart stops, you die, don’t you? You should think of it in the same way. The greatest benefit of having Circles is, after all, a constant supply of mana, so it must be functional, especially when you’re in motion.
-…
-After that, you expand the paths. You all rose to the rank of Tower Master, so I’m sure you can do it well even without me.
-Is there perhaps a book we can refer to?
-I plan to write one. It would be helpful if you, the Tower Masters, could record any questions you have while practicing.
-…
-I’ll take a look during my next visit and set you on the right path again.
The young teacher indirectly announced the end of the lesson by giving them homework.
His words meant he was leaving Schwerin to return to where he belonged.
Reinholdt asked.
“I understand how we should approach breathing. So, should we teach all the other mages in this same way?”
It was a question of whether everyone had to go outside and sit on the streets as if they were begging.
Loan nodded immediately, as if there were no doubt.
-I don't know any other way. If there's a better method, it might be good to try developing one. In that case, please record your hypotheses…
-Ah, no.
The five of them hastily cut off Loan’s thought.
They had been constantly encouraged by their young junior to venture outside the towers, but it seemed the first step would be quite extreme.
Momentarily at a loss as to how they would persuade the mages of their respective towers, the Tower Masters began to dust themselves off and stand up one by one.
They also had no desire to be given any more homework.
Magda smiled silently, then cleared her throat with a hum.
“It’s time to go back. Well, no need to bother going back into the tower. We have a long way to go, so let’s depart from here.”
As she spoke, she glanced back and forth between Loan and Werner.
Loan didn't mind either way. He nodded immediately.
Werner said.
“We’ll be traveling together anyway, but with the Tower Masters gathered here, and so many of Schwerin’s people present, this could be seen as a good opportunity.”
What was he planning, beating around the bush like that?
As Loan watched Werner with a puzzled expression…
He took something from his pocket and opened his palm to show it.
It was a badge that emitted a strange light.
It was different from meteoric iron; it appeared to be crafted from a processed mana stone.
“To Loan, a Runner of the Union’s Faith Division. As the Duke of Schwerin and the Master of the Manifestation Tower, I present this to the mage who is the creator of a new magic and who protected the duchy, the city, the Magic Towers, and the people through his immense contributions in the Great Grave War.”
Werner stepped forward, pinned the badge to Loan’s chest, and continued speaking.
“Your contributions are too great. It would be best for you to take whatever you desire from the Magic Towers, but since there is no time now, I give you this badge to make that possible later.”
“So it wasn’t an empty promise.”
Magda chimed in, looking at the badge with an incredulous expression.
Werner nodded.
“Indeed. This badge is like a symbol given to a mage beyond classification. It is not an evaluation of ability, but a recognition of the influence one has on other mages. It’s commonly called the Tower Master’s Badge, as it proves one is worthy of that title.”
“The Tower Master’s Badge…”
Loan trailed off, looking down at his chest.
“It doesn’t mean I’m offering you one of the occupied towers. But if one of us were to disappear, you could fill that position. Even if it were the Manifestation Tower.”
“What a frightening thing to say.”
“I’m talking about retirement. I know that day is not far off. In fact, I don’t even like high places due to my acrophobia.”
As if he had just delivered a witty joke, Werner looked from side to side and laughed heartily.
Since no one joined in, the sound quickly died down.
Loan stroked his chest, feeling the texture of the badge, and said.
“Thank you. I will take this undeserved honor to heart and strive to improve.”
“It is by no means undeserved.”
Suddenly, behind the Tower Masters and Loan…
Someone from the crowd that had been watching them stepped forward, speaking in a loud voice.
And a procession followed.
They were the mages from outside the towers, including Stipe and Joseph.
Joseph stepped forward and, in a loud voice for all to hear, recounted Loan’s deeds as he had witnessed them.
The listeners let out gasps of admiration with every phrase.
“…And so, Loan, the Runner of the Union. Thanks to him, we saved our lives. It is no exaggeration to say that because of him, Schwerin’s Magic Towers, the capital, and the duchy did not fall. Therefore, we must remember his name. Whenever he may need it, we must be his strength. That is our duty.”
His speech was long-winded, but one could feel from his expression and tone that his words came straight from the heart.
But then, unexpectedly…
“I agree with the opinion of the modernist mages.”
The Master of the Manifestation Tower vouched for it plainly.
It was common knowledge that the Magic Towers and the modernist mages were at opposite poles.
The very fact that Werner had said such a thing was unprecedented.
With this, Loan had earned recognition from both within and without Schwerin.
Feeling the countless eyes upon him, Loan bowed his head to express his gratitude.
“It was simply my duty as a member of the Union and as a junior mage. I will not forget your support and will continue to strive forward.”
It was a simple yet determined farewell, befitting a respectable mage and a proud member of the Union.
But after he finished speaking, he shyly drew closer to Magda, as if eager to leave, and in that moment, he looked his age again.
Magda, as if by habit, started to pat Loan’s head but patted his back instead, conveying her feelings that way.
“Then, the Master of the Recognition Tower will act in my stead during my brief absence. Everyone… please work together to stabilize Schwerin, without discriminating between those inside or outside the towers.”
As the Master of the Manifestation Tower finished his farewells to those who were staying, words were prepared for those who were leaving.
Werner said.
“Loan, will you lead the way? Let’s go to the Union.”
“Yes, sir. Shall we go, Commander?”
Loan spurred his horse westward.
Werner and Magda followed right behind him.
The cheers and farewells of the people were quickly drowned out by the sound of hooves.