Chapter 113
Chapter 113
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 113
Chapter Title: Magic Genius with Korean Patch
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A café located near the lodging where Jeon was staying.
There, Jeon sat with Lena beside him and Morgan in front.
'I can't believe he's actually having lunch with us.'
Unlike his expectation that some urgent discussion would follow immediately upon running into Morgan right after leaving the lodging, Morgan had genuinely joined Jeon and Lena for lunch.
Afterward, Morgan suggested coffee, leading them to this very café.
"But you didn't come just to have lunch with us, right...?"
While the two others sipped hot coffee, Jeon, nursing his iced Americano, couldn't hold back his curiosity and asked Morgan first.
"Mm, you're right. Before we get into that, allow me to apologize for showing up so suddenly."
In response to Jeon's question, Morgan, who had been eyeing Jeon's iced Americano with curiosity, snapped to attention and bowed his head slightly.
"However, I came because there's something I absolutely must ask of you."
"Something you need to ask...?"
For the Vice Tower Master himself to make a personal request?
If it were a routine mission, it could have been relayed through the dispatch team.
The fact that it was being delivered this way meant it wasn't ordinary.
"Then, if you'll excuse me for a moment."
Clink.
Morgan, who had finished preparing to speak, set his teacup down on the table.
At the same time, the surrounding mana stirred, forming a soundproof barrier of mana around the three of them.
Confirming that the barrier enveloped them without gaps, Morgan finally began.
"Do you happen to know why the Tower Master rarely engages in outside activities?"
"Uh... well, given his high position and circle, every move he makes draws attention, so maybe that's why?"
The White Tower's Tower Master, Luke Ellinder.
His circle was at least 8th Circle, by Jeon's estimate.
Even among those Jeon knew, he had reached the highest realm, a half-step beyond apostles who overwhelmed ordinary 7th Circle archmages.
As such, every action of his drew the eyes not just of the Empire, but the entire continent.
'That's why he's staying out of the imperial throne succession struggle now.'
Thus, Luke always maintained strict neutrality.
But people wouldn't leave him be.
Even his statement on the recent incident with Lucius and the White Tower had factions across the continent trying to link him to the Third Prince.
'Even that was for my sake.'
Luke's rare direct involvement being the matter with Lucius made Jeon realize anew how much consideration he had received.
"Half right, half wrong."
But Morgan shook his head slightly at Jeon's answer.
"The Tower Master currently cannot leave the tower."
"Pardon? Why...?"
"There are various reasons, but primarily because the tower and the Tower Master are bound by an inseparable constraint."
"Inseparable... constraint?"
Inseparable meant Luke couldn't leave the White Tower.
Jeon looked at Morgan in surprise, then at Lena beside him.
Lena also stared at Morgan in shock before their eyes met.
And the meaning in each other's gazes was...
'Are we even allowed to hear this?'
Morgan chuckled at their expressions and continued.
"It's fine. The Tower Master himself permitted me to share this. Of course, he trusts that you two won't blab about it."
Jeon was already close to being fully trusted by Luke, and while Lena seemed a bit impulsive, she was the lady of House Silvermont, deeply tied to the White Tower.
It was a great secret, but it also spoke to the immense trust Luke placed in them.
'But to reveal even this... what exactly is he going to ask?'
High trust didn't necessitate sharing such information.
It meant the request was that important.
"So... how does this relate to what you're asking of us now?"
Jeon calmed his surprise and asked Morgan more steadily.
Morgan nodded at Jeon's demeanor and continued.
"While the Tower Master can't leave, there are people who deliver information to him or act as his hands and feet across the Empire."
"Are they separate from the tower's personnel?"
"Yes. Most are his direct disciples, after all."
Luke's disciples.
As disciples of an archmage, they were exceptionally skilled, holding prominent positions wherever they went.
"Did something happen to one of them?"
The mention of Luke's immobility and his people suggested trouble with one of those disciples who acted on his behalf.
Morgan looked slightly surprised at Jeon's inference.
"...Yes, that's correct. One of the Tower Master's disciples has lost contact."
"Couldn't the tower handle it internally?"
"It's more a personal matter for the Tower Master than the tower's affair, so it's tricky."
In other words, separating public and private duties.
Jeon wondered if it was necessary, but for Luke—who maintained neutrality even in minor matters—it was natural.
"But Lena and I are both affiliated with the White Tower..."
The issue was their official status.
Morgan, as if anticipating the objection, continued smoothly.
"Apprenticeships can end before the term is up."
Accepting the request meant Jeon would be dismissed from his apprenticeship.
'Is this right?'
From the requester's side, suggesting dismissal too?
Jeon tilted his head in confusion, but Morgan pressed on quickly.
"It's that urgent. And we're not asking solely because of that."
"...Then please explain properly."
Since it had come to this, Jeon decided to hear the full request.
"Once you hear it, you must accept."
But there was a condition.
Jeon frowned slightly, and Morgan nodded understandingly.
"I know it may seem rude. But it's that important. And the Tower Master isn't asking empty-handed."
Morgan bowed his head briefly and lifted it.
"Will you hear it?"
"Mm..."
Jeon pondered Morgan's question.
He also exchanged a glance with Lena beside him.
'Calling Lena too means it's not just for me.'
Involving both him and Lena—and likely Risar—meant a major undertaking.
And sending the Vice Tower Master underscored its importance.
Nod.
Lena, meeting Jeon's eyes amid his deliberation, nodded once.
Entrusting it fully to Jeon's decision.
Seeing her gaze, Jeon pondered a bit longer alone before deciding.
"...Yes, I'll hear it—and accept."
He had received great favors from Luke, including the Awakening Gate.
It was hard to refuse.
'He's not one to ask for trivial things.'
Given Luke's cautious nature, such a request must be crucial.
Thus, Jeon accepted.
"A difficult decision—truly grateful."
Morgan bowed again in thanks.
"Now, will you tell me?"
"Yes, of course. This concerns the Tower Master's third disciple, Townes. Among them, he handled the most for the Tower Master."
With Jeon's acceptance, Morgan delved into the details.
"Especially since he's in the capital, he was involved in monitoring imperial family dynamics."
The capital was in constant turmoil over the throne succession.
Quiet on the surface, but rife with daily intrigue and shifting alliances.
"You said the Tower Master stays neutral, but he's not disinterested in the situation."
Maintaining neutrality required close awareness, so Luke was quite attuned to imperial politics.
Townes handled most of that.
"Then, word came that Townes connected with the Second Prince."
"The Second Prince?"
"Yes. As someone who might bridge to the Tower Master, they approached cautiously yet aggressively."
The Second Prince, one pillar of the succession struggle.
Townes, seeing opportunity, engaged actively.
"He was invited to a party hosted by one of the Second Prince's close aides."
Party invitations were commonplace in high society, nothing special.
But Morgan's expression hardened from there.
"He didn't need to attend. But hearing Helena would be there, Townes decided to go."
"Who's Helena...?"
"A figure in imperial society whose true identity is murky, shrouded in rumors. What's certain is she's the Second Prince's most cherished confidante."
The Second Prince's suspicious inner circle member, rife with rumors.
To gather intel on her, Townes attended the party.
"Contact was lost after."
Suspicious, no doubt.
But investigating capital high society from afar was daunting.
"Thus, the Tower Master hopes you'll visit the capital to investigate."
Jeon had expected difficulty, but this was larger-scale.
And tied to the imperial family, which he desperately wanted to avoid.
'This is insane.'
He'd agreed, but it put him in a bind.
Still, Luke knew his circumstances.
"Did the Tower Master specifically choose me for a reason?"
"Yes. Not without cause. In about a week, a major event in the capital involves you."
As Jeon suspected, it wasn't arbitrary.
But an event linking to him...
"A week from now...?"
Jeon trailed off, then a piece of info flashed in his mind.
"The Second Princess's birthday party?"
"Correct."
Second Princess Katrina's birthday party was imminent.
And Jeon had a formal invitation.
"Before passing, the Princess insisted you attend her birthday."
He thought it was just his invite, but she'd subtly mentioned it to Luke and Morgan too.
'Always so sly.'
Jeon shook his head inwardly at Katrina's clear intent to drag him there.
"If she said that much, she must really want you there."
"...Yes."
Even without Townes, Katrina would force him to the capital.
'She's probably scheming to make me go right now.'
A few more days in the lodging, and her people might have come pressuring him.
Considering all that, Luke had requested Jeon.
Jeon nodded, grasping the situation.
"No helping it."
The party and request were individually refusable, but together? Different story.
And he'd agreed to hear it out.
Morgan smiled gratefully but continued, as if not done.
"And that's not all."
"Pardon? What's more?"
"Yes. We have info suggesting 'they' are involved."
"They..."
Jeon's eyes narrowed at Morgan's words.
'......the Ruin Church.'
He could easily guess who "they" were.