Raising an Objection (1)
"The Mage Tower's regular conference now resumes."
The symbol of South Korea, the Mage Tower. It wasn't just a portal hub anymore. I'd resolved to visit properly someday. The reason was simple.
'There's magic there, not just [skills].'
Magic I could truly wield with Grandfell's talents, like the portals. But a regular conference? Never mind the decade-long hiatus. Sure, I mainly used magic now, but my class would always be demon hunter.
'What's this regular conference thing?'
I had no insight into how mage society operated. But that didn't matter.
"Perfect timing. I was just on my way."
This wasn't the type to shrink back anywhere. Even in the unfamiliar Mage Tower, I could strut like a runway model. I had that instinct. A regular conference—who knew what I'd gain, but there was no downside.
'Innate magical talent lets you mimic most spells just by seeing them.'
Now that I'd seen through Count Ascura and ranking 4th Jessie Haynes, realizing my own shortcomings, I wasn't in a position to be picky.
"Time to prepare."
"From now on," meant it could start anytime. For someone like me, obsessed with formality and procedure, lateness was unforgivable.
I immediately began preparing for the Mage Tower. What preparation? Just one thing.
Clink—
"Procrastination is a bad habit."
Doing the dishes.
*
In the Mage Tower, skilled mage Cley Odia pulled her robe low over her face. To hide her excitement.
'My heart's pounding...!'
Ever since the Mage Tower was summoned into the adventurers' world, they'd focused on figuring out why. The Tower had barely functioned. Now, a regular conference resuming? It was the tower master's and elders' decision, so a mere skilled mage like her couldn't know the reason.
'Did they uncover something? I can't wait.'
But she was a Mage Tower mage too. Pure pursuit of magic came first, so she eagerly awaited the conference.
Her role today: guiding the invited adventurers—players, precisely.
Not hard at all.
'They're all big names who know the drill.'
This was the Mage Tower's regular conference. Only skilled mages with rigorously verified research could present. No random invites, obviously.
"...The Tower's busier than usual today."
From the stairs weaving through the air, Cley eyed the crowd at the portal. Mostly adventurers. She hated the noise, but it couldn't be helped.
"Makes sense with the Yusra Archipelago discovered."
Yusra Archipelago. It popped up in old magic tomes. Some ancient wealthy kingdom.
"Hope they brought decent magic artifacts."
Legendary treasure island? But as a Mage Tower mage, her interest skewed to artifacts over gold.
Anyway, conference time approached.
"No big deal after all."
Thanks to the illusion magic, right? Cley shrugged lightly. The players couldn't see her. The illusion magic on conference day hid everything.
The Mage Tower's regular conference. Its prestige demanded top-tier results—and strict secrecy. Only invitees attended for that reason.
'Without an invite, no one—not even me—spots these stairs easily.'
There was one special rule, though. Anyone piercing the illusion could observe without an invite.
But pointless, right?
'It's the tower master's illusion magic!'
No one at that level would go uninvited. Cley puffed up with pride.
Made her feel like a grand mage...
"They can't hear me either."
Best time for muttering. The silent Tower sometimes felt spiderwebby.
Clack—
Then.
"...?"
Heel clicks. Climbing the stairs.
Cley's hooded head tilted.
'...All invited adventurers are already here, right?'
Jessie Haynes and the rest—she'd guided them personally.
So who was this guy?
'...Maybe recognize the face.'
Not necessarily an adventurer. Cley peeked from under her hood.
Silver hair. Dark eyes. Long trailing coat...?
No, his gear screamed adventurer. Cley panicked.
'Some mix-up?!'
Did she miss an invitee? She pulled out parchment.
"...No new additions?!"
Then who...?
The man spoke to her.
"I wish to observe the conference."
"Uh... could you show your invitation?"
"Regrettably, I have none."
"...Wh-what?!"
Wait, impossible. Climbing without an invite? Talking to her? That meant piercing the illusion!
Cley shook her head inwardly.
'No way they fully saw through it.'
The tower master's chant...
"Impressive illusion magic, nonetheless."
"...Heeek?!"
Impressive? He'd pierced and critiqued the tower master's illusion?!
"Truly praiseworthy."
P-praiseworthy for the tower master...?
'J-just kidding, right?'
Cley stared at the man now inches away. Deadpan seriousness. Eyes appraising her—everything.
She knew: no joke.
'An adventurer like this?'
Why now...?
Unexpected. Cley spun dizzily. But duty called.
"...Per regulations, I'll guide you."
…
So this was the Mage Tower's regular conference? Entry alone was no joke…!
I climbed, impressed.
'Illusion magic. But no mere illusion.'
Clack—
You could feel the stairs underfoot, like seeing them. How advanced was this magic?
Without Grandfell's genius setting, I'd never grasp it.
My words said it all.
"Truly praiseworthy."
Ultimate praise. Comparing to Jessie's Heaven's Punishment would insult these stairs.
But mana limited it. I roughly calculated.
'At 1,000 mana...'
I could probably replicate it. Seeing it, I’d analyzed: probe, interfere, manifest. Structure clear.
Though 1,000 mana was absurd.
'Needs level 1,000?'
No despair. Conference just starting.
I followed the twitching robe.
'Might shore up weaknesses here.'
With that hope.
*
Crystal Hall. The conference space inside the Mage Tower.
Its vastness seemed impossible indoors. Floor, walls, ceiling—even seats—all crystal. Amplifying magic's mystery.
But even that palled.
"...Boring."
Jessie Haynes muttered softly.
Her pointed hat rustled.
"...I'll try. Yawwwn—"
The hat mentor's nagging. She'd feign fear if it weren't routine. Jessie yawned back.
"Honestly, I don't get it anyway."
Magic was just skills. Acquire, spend mana, chant—boom.
Probe this, interfere that. Why complicate?
"I'd quest or slack otherwise."
Even "mage among mages" Jessie struggled with Tower level. She just didn't meddle. Arcana's strongest, no contest.
Jessie stretched hugely.
"Until Marcelo, right?"
Marcelo. She knew him well. Frequent Tower visits for mage class quests.
Excluding tower master and elders, the real power: chief mage Marcelo.
"Real genius is him."
Genius. One of her titles. But she hated it. Couldn't grasp presentations—some genius.
She devoured skillbooks and tomes daily, but new knowledge stuck hard.
The hat rustled comfortingly—then Marcelo's presentation began.
Lanky legs. Gaunt face. Prominent cheekbones.
Crystal Hall center. The man began.
"The Mage Tower was summoned to the adventurers' world for reasons unknown. Not just us—it's the beginning. Worldview interference continues even now."
Worldview interference. Tower term for updates.
Jessie's eyes sparkled, listening quietly.
"Unraveling it demands time and focus. But we won't quit. May today's presentation be the starting gun."
Title: Fusion. Fittingly grandiose—and shocking.
"Science. A new concept in your world. I see potential there. To advance magic further."
Science? Jessie startled. Magic and science incompatible, right? Her bias.
Marcelo was genius from the start. Great presenter too.
Science hooked players like her.
"Yet fusing them requires caution. Two alien concepts—unknown variables await, ease aside."
Marcelo manifested magic. Flame orb in his palm.
She got it. Advanced fusion magic.
"Of course, we'll need adventurers' cooperation."
Players buzzed.
"...Quest incoming?"
"Worth the boredom! Real deal!"
"Quests are gold lately!"
Uproar ignored, Marcelo continued.
"Questions, finally."
Silence—
Who dared? Tower mages, players—none had questions. Magic-science gap too vast...
Snap—
"?"
...Huh? Jessie blinked.
A hand rose.
"May I raise an objection?"
That dignified tone. Unforgettable voice.
"Such wondrous magic...! No, Lee Hoyeol!"
Yes—Hoyeol objecting.
Hoyeol and Marcelo's gazes clashed midair.
Marcelo nodded; Hoyeol spoke.
"I find redundancies in your probing process. Your thoughts, Chief Mage Marcelo?"
"...!!!"
...Like an interrogation? Of the Tower's power player, no less.
Atmosphere froze.
Yet Marcelo's reaction was... off.