Chapter 58
Chapter 58
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 58
Chapter Title: The Tear of Eternity
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The regular conference was the largest and most important annual event at the Magic Tower.
“So, what I’m trying to say is…”
“There seems to be an error in what you just mentioned.”
“As the mage who first proposed that theory…”
“I’m sorry! I’m sorry!”
Mages presented their research from the past period, exchanging a variety of opinions.
It was a place where magical progress happened in real time, drawing interest from the imperial family and prestigious magical houses.
However, this conference drew more attention for the after-party that followed than the event itself.
“Everything ready?”
On the final night of the conference, Ezekiel donned proper formal attire instead of his usual baggy robe.
He looked clearly uncomfortable, but there was no helping it—this was part of the conditions.
“Now, Mr. Dylan. Let’s continue our work discussion.”
“I-I’ve been so busy with the conference too. Can’t we take a break today?”
“Just a little longer. Once we’re done, we’ll go grab dinner.”
Anya had stayed at the Magic Tower ever since that day. With half the mansion belonging to the Hilton Merchant Guild, even Ezekiel couldn’t do much about it.
“Please come back safely.”
“If anything fun happens, make sure to tell me too.”
“P-Please, spare me…”
Edwick bowed politely. Anya waved with a bright smile. And Dylan reached out like a ghoul.
Leaving the three behind, Damian’s group boarded a quiet carriage.
[You sure it’s okay leaving it to those kids…?]
As Agnes’s attention was drawn to the night streets of the Magic Tower, Ezekiel sent a telepathic message.
Ariella and Ezekiel had agreed to stay out of the spotlight as much as possible.
It was to avoid hindering Damian’s free movement for no reason.
Dennis was moving with them too, but to Ezekiel, both were still just kids.
[I’ll let you know right away if I need help.]
[Got it.]
The carriage arrived at its destination, and the three headed to the 45th floor, where the after-party was held.
There weren’t many people. Few could meet the conditions.
Thus, those gathered here were the current core of the Magic Tower—or those with the potential to become so.
“Damian~.”
Erewin approached with a flirtatious sway, while Boris watched her with a sour expression.
Both had fiancés, but they’d chosen each other as partners for tonight.
“What do you think of this dress? I had it custom-made in the capital recently. The Tower’s great and all, but there’s nowhere decent to buy clothes.”
Her skin brushing against him was overwhelming. The saying that she was Rubia’s more intense version fit perfectly.
Just as he was about to tell her to tone it down a bit—
“As a member of the imperial family, it exudes elegance.”
“Oh, Miss Agnes too… It suits you well.”
With Agnes’s appearance, Erewin had no choice but to back off.
She was the kind of woman who spoke her mind even in front of Rubia. Who knew if she’d turn her sharpness on him too.
“Rubia said she wasn’t coming. Hehe. Probably embarrassed from that unnecessary mess last time.”
Erewin shrugged and laughed.
She hadn’t done anything wrong herself at the scene, but Rubia being deflated was joy enough.
“Sir Damian.”
Turning at the voice calling him, there was Cadrel.
Having no disciples, he’d attended the after-party alone.
“Your presentation yesterday was impressive, Councilor Cadrel.”
“It’s thanks to you and Miss Rubia. Without your help, I would’ve suffered a major embarrassment.”
“Dylan deserves credit too.”
“Yes… Quite right. Seeing you looking after Dylan lately puts my mind at ease as his professor.”
It was surely an empty platitude.
Rumors were spreading that Damian and Dylan had developed a new mana potion.
The news of Anya visiting the Magic Tower hadn’t spread yet, but the Hilton Merchant Guild’s involvement was no longer a secret.
‘Must be giving him a stomachache.’
He’d seen Dylan as a disposable pawn to use and discard, but now the boy was drawing attention.
“Lord Dennis? I didn’t expect you at a place like this.”
The gazes clustered on Damian shifted to Dennis in an instant.
His very presence didn’t fit the atmosphere here.
“The Guardian is an exception to the rules. I wanted to see what such an event is like for once. No opportunities outside the Tower, after all.”
It was said in jest, but no one could take it lightly.
The man was the Guardian. There was no gain in clashing with him.
Damian and Dennis exchanged light nods and passed by.
Keeping a certain distance, Dennis sent a telepathic message—so discreet even the star-studded mages in the hall wouldn’t detect it.
[So, is toppling Councilor Cadrel actually possible?]
[More doable than the others.]
[Even so, I’m not sure yet. What does this have to do with changing the To—er, Tower Lord’s fate?]
[We handle the solvable problems one by one. Far more productive than agonizing over an unknown enemy, no?]
Ariella had told Damian to do as he pleased.
The being who twisted prophecies said Damian’s greater activity would alter her own fate as well.
—Then what needs doing is simple.
Those disrupting the Magic Tower’s stability. Eliminate them all. It was something he’d planned anyway, unrelated to Ariella’s issues.
There had been constraints before, but not now.
He had the Tower Lord’s tacit approval and the Guardian’s support. Even a councilor was within reach.
“Thank you all for gathering here.”
As they passed the time like that, Ariella ascended the podium.
“Ugh, an old geezer like me getting all sentimental.”
“Mind your words, Lord Ezekiel.”
Even in plain robes, she was a woman whose beauty overwhelmed those around her.
Dressed properly, she’d fit right into any imperial ball without a hitch.
“You must all be wondering why I’ve arranged this gathering.”
Ariella’s gaze followed Ezekiel. It was already common knowledge, no need to spell it out.
“It’s not just because of ‘that incident’ you all know about. In magic, the master-disciple bond is profoundly important. It goes beyond mere teaching—it’s inheriting an individual’s path.”
In that regard, the relationship between Damian and Ezekiel was hardly ideal. Damian had neither the intent nor the talent to follow that path.
“So both master and disciple weigh their options carefully. That makes such bonds all the rarer.”
There was a special power in Ariella’s voice.
A charm that gently drew people in—a mystery distinct from magic.
Her leadership was exceptional too. Her absence had plunged the Tower into great turmoil.
“I hope you won’t overthink it. No need to take it too seriously. Trust your instincts. I’d love to see more active master-disciple relationships among mages.”
Ariella’s eyes turned to Dennis this time. Unable to meet his master’s warm smile, Dennis looked away.
“The same goes for relations between men and women. Tower mages especially neglect their human connections. Feeling interest and attraction toward another—that’s a mystery greater than magic itself.”
He was starting to understand what Ariella sought as Tower Lord.
He also felt certain she was a being who shone in times of peace.
The values she pursued would inevitably fade in an era of war.
“I’m sure there’ll be debate over these conditions. Through that process, everyone in the Tower can reflect on what I’ve said.”
As Ariella stepped down from the podium, a new piece began playing.
Some started dancing to it.
Ezekiel had planned to sip drinks in the corner, but Ariella grabbed him and dragged him to the center against his will.
“Shall we enjoy ourselves too?”
Agnes extended her hand. The rough calluses spoke of her efforts.
“You’re thinking something else entirely.”
As they spun gracefully, Agnes murmured in a low voice.
“It shows on your face again?”
“I’m sure you have your reasons for not telling me.”
Agnes refocused on the dance. Her movements were soft and light, different from wielding a sword.
“Damian. Dance with your big sis this time, won’t you?”
Erewin clung persistently. Unable to shake her off, he took her hand.
‘If Rubia were here too… Not even worth thinking about.’
As the party heated up, a few chairs and a small box were placed on the podium.
“I wanted to add some entertainment to the after-party in my own way.”
Ariella opened the box, revealing a black necklace inside. A silver-gray gem at its center gleamed strikingly.
“It’s called the Tear of Eternity. A relic of my master, the previous previous Tower Lord and Archmage, Jeremiah.”
Jeremiah had received the Tear of Eternity from someone as well, it was said.
Even the lords of hell knew of it, so it was likely an artifact.
“Regrettably, I couldn’t uncover its power. So we must seek other possibilities. It was my master’s wish too.”
The rules were simple. Solve puzzles in Ariella’s Mental Realm, and the final victor claims the Tear of Eternity.
“No one interested?”
All eyes turned to Ezekiel. Everyone knew he wanted the Tear of Eternity.
It was tempting as a mysterious item, but clashing with him over it was a hassle.
“Hmm. Not bad, but compared to that punk Dylan’s cooking, it falls short.”
Ezekiel was just munching on snacks from the buffet in one corner.
“I’ll participate.”
“Thank you for stepping up first, Damian Renekht.”
Ezekiel merely rolled his eyes at his disciple’s entry, showing no other reaction.
“I’ll join too.”
“M-Me too!”
Other participants stepped forward one after another. All young mages.
The chance to experience Ariella’s magic outweighed any win or loss for them.
“I’ll enter as well.”
The Guardian, Dennis, was among them. His actions today were a radical departure from his usual demeanor.
“I’ll take the last spot.”
It was Cadrel.
After locking eyes briefly with Damian, he smirked and sat in the prepared chair.
“Then I look forward to an entertaining contest.”
With Ariella’s words, the participants’ eyes closed. They’d entered the Mental Realm.
Their figures appeared on one wall of the hall. Inside a vast maze shrouded in thick fog.
The first puzzle: navigate the maze. Only 15 of the 20 entrants could advance.
[We succeeded in getting Cadrel to accept the conditions, but… you sure about this, master?]
[I only prepared the puzzles in the Mental Realm as requested. Let’s watch for now.]
“This is the Mental Realm I’ve only heard about!”
“Feel that texture. It’s so realistic, gives me chills.”
“To think one person constructs a space like this…”
The young mages lingered in awe of the Mental Realm for a while. That was the value of the Tower Lord’s unique magic.
[Grateful for your interest in the Mental Realm, but please focus on the contest now.]
Ariella’s voice echoed throughout the maze. The young mages jolted and began pondering escape routes.
“We just need to find the exit, right?”
“Why bother finding the path? We have flight magic.”
Most thought that way and levitated—only to crash into invisible walls.
If it were possible, Ariella wouldn’t have set this puzzle.
The pressure of the Mental Realm clouded their judgment.
“Oh ho. As expected, those two are fastest.”
“Can’t help the skill gap.”
Dennis and Cadrel found the most efficient method.
They released countless tiny mana orbs to collide with the maze walls, mapping it out in their minds.
“What’s Sir Damian doing?”
“Who knows…”
Damian suddenly placed his hand on the maze wall.
“He’s not trying to break the wall, is he?”
“No one would use such a brute-force method.”
“It’s impossible in the Mental Realm— What’s that!?”
Crack. Squish squish squish. Accompanied by strange noises, a hole punched through the wall.