History Being Overwritten (2)

Mage Tower. The one social space, the Floating Garden. An apprentice mage, glancing around cautiously at the tea table, finally spoke up.

"...Hey. Doesn't something feel different?"

Exchanges of glances followed the question. Answers poured in immediately.

"Hmm. You cut your bangs! It suits you way better!"

"What're you talking about?"

"What? Not that? Then... you've lost weight! Your cheeks are slimmer..."

"Hey! Are you making fun of me?!"

"Huh, not that either? Then what changed?"

She shook her head vigorously. That's not it!

The apprentice mage shook her head even harder for a moment before her voice dropped even lower, more secretive.

"The atmosphere, I mean the atmosphere. Not me—the whole Mage Tower vibe!"

Oh, that's what you meant?

Even an apprentice mage could sense it, having seen and heard things. Of course, as total newbies without even an academic faction assigned yet, the changes they could pick up on were limited.

"...Honestly, things felt chaotic until now, right?"

"Totally. They were all too busy adapting to this world."

"But lately, it's like... procedures have been established?"

The biggest change, above all, was the Mage Tower's behavior. Whether on the Arcana Continent or in this world of adventurers, the Mage Tower had always maintained a consistent stance. The Tower did not interfere in external affairs. Therefore, mages had to restrain their external activities as much as possible—that was the rule.

"And tower exits being allowed? That's insane. I never even dreamed of it!"

That's what everyone thought it was, and would continue to be. But suddenly, tower exits were possible. Of course, only after procedures. Something unimaginable in the past.

Whispers. The secretive chatter continued.

"Why, one skilled mage came back from a tower exit, right?"

"Yeah, I heard that rumor too!"

"Wasn't that super unexpected? Even the senior mages must've submitted exit applications. But hers got approved first, over all those heavyweights."

The Mage Tower had clear hierarchies. Hierarchies that could not be ignored. Especially the gap between skilled and senior mages was several times larger than between apprentices and skilled.

So naturally, the topic turned to.

"Chief Lee Hoyeol must have different standards, for sure."

It was inevitable to point toward Hoyeol, who made that decision. The man himself had no idea, but the subtle expectations building up were unavoidable.

"Maybe we have a shot too?"

"A shot? What shot? Don't tell me..."

"Hey, don't spout nonsense again. I mean tower exits."

"Oh, tower exits? Yeah, since there's no limit on applications."

Yes, that was exactly chick-level thinking. Listening to them, you'd think it was endearingly naive.

Meanwhile, at another table in the Floating Garden.

The one leading the table was the skilled mage, Jibril.

"It seems it's not just our faction's atmosphere that's changed."

Gathered for the social were all skilled mages. About twenty in total—every skilled mage from every faction in the tower. Only possible because Jibril, with her vast network, stepped up.

Thwack! Jibril slammed her small fist on the table. Her eyes gleamed with curiosity.

"There must've been some incident among the seniors that we don't know about!"

Hearing each faction's stories turned suspicion into certainty. Jibril's ponytail bobbed as someone chimed in.

"You're right, Jibril. No need to go far back—just look at the regular conference. You saw how the seniors ground their teeth at the mere name of Chief Lee Hoyeol."

The pre-verification before the regular conference. Wasn't it Hoyeol pouring out rejections in Topaz Hall? Of course, even if the reasons were perfectly valid. Considering what the regular conference meant to the factions... The seniors' lingering resentment toward Hoyeol wouldn't fade easily.

"They should've. But it's not like they flipped overnight."

"Even Senior Garfield from our faction acts like it never happened."

"No, it feels like they've become completely different people."

"...Now that you mention it, they seem more serious."

"Solemn, maybe?"

It wasn't just feelings toward Chief Lee Hoyeol. Even the long-standing faction rivalries felt gone. Why, look—even now, some seniors were huddled together at a table over there.

A man staring at one particularly gloomy table clicked his tongue.

"But that combo's awkward. Feels suffocating just watching."

Of course, no interest in seniors' personal drama. Tap tap— Jibril drummed her fingers, arms crossed.

"There must've been some trigger..."

What on earth was it? No matter how much she pondered, nothing came to mind. But one likely guess.

"Probably involves Chief Lee Hoyeol again?"

Jibril tossed the question and looked at silent Cley. No skilled mage here knew more about Hoyeol than Cley. Why, she'd gone on a solo tower exit with him.

"...Who knows? I really don't."

"Cley, you're really dodging like that?"

"No, I genuinely don't know what to say!"

Cley felt wronged. She was dying of curiosity herself! Cley recalled yesterday's talk with Senior Bellie.

—"I realized something else today, Cley."

—"Realized? What, Senior Bellie?"

—"The meaning of 'appearances aren't everything.'"

—"......?"

She'd been puzzled at first. But Senior Bellie's eyes, her tone—they were unusual. Cley had never seen her so immersed in deep reflection.

'What on earth happened?'

Of course, she couldn't pry. But Bellie's next words made Cley flinch.

Bellie gave a wry smile.

—"No, the Chief has always been consistent."

—"......!"

—"It's just that I'm late to realize it."

...Chief? The Mage Tower had only two chiefs. Not Chief Marcelo—they'd known each other for ages. So Senior Bellie meant...

It was definitely about Hoyeol. So Cley had her own turmoil. And now dragged to this social. Her head and heart were already a mess.

"Oh yeah, remember that?"

"...?"

"Chief Lee Hoyeol is definitely nobility in the adventurers' world. From a super great family..."

"Jibril, that's...!"

Cley was horrified. Words were scary. How had the rumor ballooned like that? If it reached Hoyeol's ears?

Suddenly, his voice echoed in her mind.

—"You need only act according to procedure."

No way. She couldn't just listen anymore. Cley hurriedly covered Jibril's mouth.

"Mmph!"

A small commotion in the Floating Garden. But with different perspectives, some ignored it entirely. The senior mages.

They had no mental space for skilled mages' chatter anyway.

"Any progress, Senior Banggrit?"

"Just trying it out. What about you, Senior Nasrow?"

"Well, doing my best."

They were in friendly competition.

"Hope our efforts yield good results."

Not the regular conference. But for tower exit chances.

Of course, one couldn't join even if he wanted.

Huff.

Bensy shut his mouth. Karma for loose lips, but this was too harsh.

'...Say something, at least!'

Every minute dragged. No words exchanged. Was this an interview?

But as if he didn't care about Bensy's inner turmoil.

Clink. Matis calmly tilted his teacup.

'The Chief must be mulling thoughts over ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠tea.'

But even Matis couldn't guess Hoyeol's thoughts. Why, just yesterday he'd been blindsided. The Chief visiting Senior Seinos before them.

'Can't keep up.'

But one thing. Why the Chief enjoyed tea time.

He somewhat understood.

"Time flows leisurely here."

"...Y-yes? How did you know my thoughts? Mind reading?!"

"...?"

*

...My ears itch terribly.

But no casual ear-picking. And he'd braced for this itch.

'Everyone's talking about me wherever I go.'

Media, player communities. Mage Tower. Even the love-hate sisters.

All thanks to spectacularly crushing the demon king. But as expected and prepared for. He'd even aimed for it somewhat.

Until now, thrashing to avoid sinking. Now, vowing to advance.

'Demons quiet now—perfect timing.'

Time to build a foundation for progress. No complacency, of course. He knew how vile demons were. They wouldn't watch him forever.

Well, not bad for him.

'Fighting demon monsters is way easier anyway.'

Demon hunter. A class missing a few screws, crudely put. Combat power varied massively with Predator-Prey Relationship activation.

Plus demon king spoils needing Exorcism Ritual purification...

"Relying on luck isn't good."

Of course, couldn't hope for demons forever. Needed serious study of combat without Predator-Prey Relationship.

Yes, that's why he'd dug those wells. Time to use them.

Slide— Thoughts there. He checked exit applications.

So many. Wanted to complain, but self-inflicted. Can't dump on others—against Grandfell's pride.

Straight back and neck. Reviewing unmoving.

Suddenly, a familiar name.

"Payan Lot."

Senior spirit mage, Payan Lot. He paused on her application.

She'd helped greatly. Thanks to her, High El became a {unique spirit}.

'And she worked hard in the Demon King's Castle rift too.'

He owed her personally. But he knew himself, Grandfell. Not a drop of blood from a needle prick. Strict on procedure, public vs. private above all—that was Grandfell.

No private feelings, naturally. Purely official review of Payan's application.

"Purpose is appropriate."

...But Payan's exit purpose made sense. Far more rational and grand than Bensy's persistent "fostering camaraderie."

Even surface-level spirit knowledge spotted the spirits' potential. Payan learning spirit summons in rifts—natural she'd think like him.

'Payan's contract spirit is Fire Drake...'

A high flame spirit. As high spirit, likely much intel on Arcana. Useful for him and the Tower.

"Approved."

He approved Payan's application. Then immediately.

Scribble scribble! Quill flew over parchment.

No delaying exit. Timely rift generated.

But no "kill two birds" in Grandfell's dictionary.

'Do it properly if at all.'

His note to Payan was simple.

Why, more spirits or info—the more the better. Da-da-ik-seon, as they say.

*

The player community buzzed after a while.

With demon monsters vanished, rifts were like old Arcana hunting grounds. No restrictions—hunt day ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠and night.

"Whoa, huge crowd."

Among current rifts, [Tethered Enclosure] boasted top recommended level—bound to draw players.

Star players filled every angle. Some pics oddly tense.

"...Atmosphere's off, right, bros and sis?"

Shifted power order. 1st to 2nd, 2nd to 1st. Shining and Cheonha Tongil swapped guild ranks.

"No words, but you can tell just looking, yeah?"

No official statements.