A Happening...?
AAU. The branch chiefs submitted their reports.
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Lee Hoyeol
First sighted in Utah, United States.
Reversed a group of asteroids entering the atmosphere (presumed Meteor Strike, unimplemented skill) back into space.
Afterward, left the words, “Such humble wishes.” and manifested a portal.
Witness accounts attached below.
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South Pacific, Easter Island.
Anomaly detected off the western coast.
Presumed to be mana clouds manifested by the Tower Master.
Followed by approximately one hour of intense mana collisions.
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The branch chiefs clicked their tongues and turned the page.
“The mana clouds gradually cleared, and the situation ended. The rest is the interview we all watched together. As always, Lee Hoyeol, Yusra's chief officer, revealed the full story.”
“Who would've thought the Tower Master was in that state.”
“I never imagined he'd reveal such specific details. I'd have just glossed over it. It must be an internal Mage Tower matter...”
“He's taking responsibility for the incident. As the chief.”
“People like us can't even fathom it.”
Indeed, how could anyone match that confidence?
On the screen.
Lee Hoyeol declaring without a hint of hesitation.
“Truly, no words more reassuring.”
“Don't let your guard down. We need to stay vigilant about our uselessness.”
“Did everyone catch what he said next?”
“Next?”
“Listen.”
A lesson just ended, out of nowhere. What lesson could he mean?
That single parting remark from Hoyeol.
It inevitably drew the world's attention back to him.
*
Of course, I'd acknowledge what deserved it. Forming circles had dramatically boosted the power of Distortions as well. That much was true—it let me overwhelm the Tower Master.
But still.
Just laying out the plain facts was enough to spark excessive expectations. But this was getting out of hand...!
Especially that last comment. Me, thrash a dragon?!
'Just the other day.'
On that day blessed by Siren's Grace, with fortune on my side. Through the Demon Eye Telescope, I'd witnessed it on the Arcana continent.
The terror of the elder dragon, Yunak Seus!
Dragons? They're in a whole different weight class. Dragons tear through dimensions.
Unless I perfected Incomplete Swift Swordsmanship and reached transcendent levels with the sword as well... At this point, I had zero intention of trading blows with a dragon.
While I fretted like this.
“The world is in an uproar.”
Clink—
Tilting even the teacup.
Truly speaking as if it were someone else's affair, Grandfell.
However, Grandfell's attitude wasn't wrong.
The world's uproar wasn't because of me.
It was purely the Tower Master's doing.
I drained my teacup clean and rose from my seat.
'I'm done suffering alone.'
Now, time to settle the score.
. . .
The Mage Tower's top floor.
“......”
My face wasn't visible, but I could guess.
Me, right now—probably wearing an incredibly cold expression?
It couldn't be helped.
What entered my sight was a cat.
Lick lick—
Sticking out its tongue, vigorously grooming its paw pads.
Only now noticing my icy gaze.
It looked at me and spoke—not a meow, but human words.
“Thanks to whom did my body get wrecked? I shifted to the most recovery-friendly form for a bit. Nothing beats lounging all day like this.”
Neither I nor Grandfell replied.
As I'd said once before. Cats' cuteness doesn't work on me or Grandfell.
Thus, my demeanor didn't soften a bit.
“Tower Master, there are answers I must hear from you.”
Honorifics skipped as expected.
Fortunately, the Tower Master didn't nitpick.
Good thing he's not a nag like someone.
“Answers, hmm? I suppose I owe you that. Even with a cat's mouth, I've nothing to say. As you guessed, my plan failed spectacularly.”
Shouldn't you be speechless even with ten mouths?
Just as Marcelo described. Utterly capricious in speech and action.
Though we're no slouches in that department either.
“A reckless interference process.”
Look at this—straight to pointing out the flaws.
I continued as if verifying beforehand against the Tower Master.
“To even slightly succeed, broader understanding of the target was needed. But the greatest error was overlooking the lingering unconsciousness in the body.”
The Tower Master's cat ears perked up sharply.
“......Relentlessly persistent. I regret the brief curiosity I once had for you. Must you expose every flaw to feel satisfied?”
Of course, I pressed on undeterred.
I'd told you—I didn't stir up storms in the Mage Tower for nothing.
“......Damn nagging.”
Pat pat—
Only after the Tower Master shook out its bristled ears with a paw did my lecture end.
Of course, it wasn't all barbs. Praising merits was a point of pride.
“Yet Meteor Strike was impressive.”
Thanks to peeking over the shoulder, I learned it properly.
The ultra-high-tier magics manifested by the Tower Master's body!
I couldn't say I could use them effectively right now. No need to test—I knew the mana consumption was extreme.
Even the Tower Master spat blood from the backlash.
'Still, having them etched in my mind is what matters.'
Not now, but someday.
I'd wager.
Among the magics I could manifest, Meteor Strike's destructive power was unmatched.
'Add Distortions on top?'
Its power would truly surpass imagination.
The Tower Master's tail swished.
“What comforting praise, Chief Lee Hoyeol. Reviewing the memories left in the body, none of the magics even worked on you. Not content with barbs, now tormenting the subject in person.”
Then it slumped like a real cat.
“My already ravaged mind has dried up further.”
Ravaged mind.
I'd meant to ask anyway.
I opened my mouth, ignoring the Tower Master's exaggeration.
“What happened in the space of consciousness?”
The Tower Master was a transcendent too.
No need to explain what Space of Consciousness meant.
Undoubtedly a space akin to the Spacetime Salon.
The pointed hat would have one too.
The Tower Master slyly opened its half-closed eyes.
“Paying the price.”
“Price?”
“The penalty for breaking rules handed down through generations I can't even count—rules of the grand archmages. If scheming an ugly plan is a sin, then yes.”
Ugly plan.
The conspiracy of the grand archmages from the Mage Tower quest?
No need to ask.
The Tower Master continued astutely.
“I was in a crisis where I couldn't even telepath to my disciple... But as you see, Chief Lee Hoyeol, thanks to you, I survived—even if as a cat. Allow me to formally express my gratitude.”
Anyone hearing would think I restored its consciousness to the cat body.
I wanted to retort.
But first, what exactly was the grand archmages' conspiracy?
“Even you, Chief Lee Hoyeol, who discerns my flaws and novel spell structures... You couldn't have foreseen their ugly scheme.”
The Tower Master built suspense.
“Don't be shocked. The grand archmages... ”
Its tongue paused from grooming the paw pad, turning serious.
“Share the demons' goals.”
Demons.
Honestly. Not shocked at all.
“They truly desired the Arcana continent's destruction. For that sole purpose, they inherited grand archmage knowledge and brainwashed new vessels.”
Why did the grand archmages wish for the continent's fall?
I didn't know the reason, but I could guess.
The continent ended up like this for a reason.
Because powerhouses like you grand archmages desired ruin.
The continent crumbled without resistance to the demons.
“I suspected as much.”
My calm reply made the Tower Master's fur stand on end.
“......You suspected?”
Sniff sniff—
It wrinkled its nose and let out an exclamation.
“Indeed, no lie in that scent. No point in my suspense then, Chief Lee Hoyeol. I wanted to help my benefactor at least once. Pity.”
If you wanted to help.
No need to worry.
With the Tower Master back in the Mage Tower.
'Better brace yourself.'
I planned to dump a ton of work on him.
Since I'd be thrashing about busily from now on.
Of course, not immediately.
'Pushing a convalescent too hard isn't good.'
Time to head back.
I turned to leave, then paused.
No, one more thing.
Thanks to my Reversal Magic, the Tower Master's consciousness returned from the pointed hat to its original body.
So what about Jessie's class?
And more importantly, was it okay to keep wearing that ominous pointed hat?
The Tower Master yawned leisurely.
“Such worries.”
Then resumed licking its paw pad.
“Truly needless concern, Chief Lee Hoyeol.”
Cryptic words.
“Those old fools won't bother my disciple for a while, naturally. Including me, everyone sensed your presence, Chief Lee Hoyeol. What madman would harbor ill intent facing you?”
......Hold on, that means.
The grand archmages are scared of me?
At this point, it's getting scary.
Am I.
Far stronger than I think?
. . .
If being needlessly diligent is a sin, guilty.
Not even a day later.
I returned to routine.
Meaning, to process backlog paperwork, I headed to Yusra Kingdom's office.
There, an unexpected encounter.
Arcana's official ranking 1st.
Dragon Knight, Skal.
He entered the office and spoke.
“First meeting, Sir Lee Hoyeol.”
......Hey, Skal.
Why start with that archaic speech from the get-go?!
It's like he just leaped from the medieval era.
What is with that overly formal greeting?
Grandfell ruins everyone.
Swallowing a sigh inwardly for a moment.
I checked the quest window.
Dragon Hunter
📍 Hunter of the evil dragon kin.
The legend of the mountains calls to you.
──Reach the peak of the Zero Mountains.
(In Progress)
Dragon Knight Skal would know about the world quest.
Or so I'd thought.
'Even if not.'
With Zero Mountains emerged and dragons active.
I needed to piece the quest puzzle with Skal.
“Sit.”
At my invitation, Skal promptly sat.
But he'd been fidgety since earlier.
I'd meant to share tea as a gesture for future relations.
If so urgent, no helping it.
“I've heard the story.”
Enoch relayed it.
Something I must convey.
Skal had waited before the Golden Palace since yesterday.
'Not like I meant to leave him hanging.'
I'd planned to talk anyway.
Bad timing from his side.
Feeling guilty, I spoke more generously than usual.
“Speak your business.”
Skal poured out his tale like he'd been waiting.
As expected.
Dragon-related.
......But.
What did you just say, Skal?
Who returned to the Arcana continent?
The great and noble house?
'No way.'
Nah.
No.
......For real?!