Chapter 13
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 13
Chapter Title: Inspector (2)
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The office of the Chief Imperial Administrator.
"Anes, you're resigning? Are you out of your mind?"
The Chief Imperial Administrator stared across the desk with eyes wide in disbelief at the absurdity. In his hand was the resignation letter Anes had submitted.
And Anes replied without the slightest hesitation.
"Yes."
"Don't just say 'yes'! Convince me. You've gone through hell and back at the Magic Tower, and you've finally landed the Imperial Administrator position. Now you want to go back to the Magic Tower? Does that make any sense?"
"It's sincere."
"What's gotten into you all of a sudden? Are you sick?"
But Anes's resolve had been set in stone long ago.
She always gave her all to any mission assigned to her, but she wasn't fool enough to accept being treated like a disposable tool. This mission at the Penitence Palace had been the final straw that made her decide to retire.
All her illusions about the Imperial Administrator role had shattered.
"This job isn't for me."
"Is it harder than working at the Imperial Magic Tower? This has to be better!"
The Chief raised his voice, desperate to hold onto her.
From his perspective, a newbie who worked as hard as Anes was a rare breed that came once every few years—if at all. And she was quiet about it too. Letting her go felt like watching a prize slip away right under his nose.
Yet Anes's expression remained as impassive as ever.
Here, she was just another administrator, but back at the Imperial Magic Tower, Anes was a mage of some renown. No matter how grueling life there had been, she'd never felt like a consumable.
The Chief pressed on anxiously.
"I always say this. The best part of a mission is how straightforward it is. At the Magic Tower, how much bullying do you have to put up with?"
"I'm fine."
"I hear a new Inspector is coming in this time. What if they're the total opposite of you? Think you can handle that? It'll be too late to turn back then! Even if you ditch the Magic Tower, you won't be able to come back here!"
"Yes. It doesn't matter. Then, if you'll excuse me."
Anes turned on her heel, her black bob swaying.
"Anes, wait! Anes!"
His shouts didn't slow her steps for a second.
Creak─ clack─
She turned the doorknob with a light heart.
Anes was heading back to the Imperial Magic Tower now.
A restaurant in the bustling district near the Imperial Magic Tower.
"...A letter?"
I furrowed my brow at the mention of a letter.
It was a predictable turn. After all, this whole mess had started with a few drunken letters I'd scribbled. Could it be that replies from the other four had finally arrived?
But fortunately, my guess was wrong soon enough.
"It's from the Magic Tower. They didn't know your address, so they sent it to the palace first. Would you like to read it?"
"Sure."
"Sent at this time? It must be about the inauguration ceremony."
Thankfully, it wasn't a marriage proposal. I unfolded the two sheets of letter paper with quiet relief.
First letter.
To the esteemed Inspector,
Congratulations on your appointment as Inspector of the Imperial Magic Tower this year. We wish you continued health and prosperity. We eagerly await how your blank record will be filled with achievements here.
I am Knox, Department Head of the Magic Tower.
It's hard to convey true sincerity through mere words on paper, isn't it? We've prepared your inauguration at the upscale restaurant 'Shelter of Dawn.' Please stop by at the appointed time, and I will greet you personally.
'The Department Head of the Imperial Magic Tower.'
As Solana had said, it was about the inauguration. A Department Head outranked an Inspector but wasn't at the top. I read the remaining letter next.
Congratulations on your appointment as Inspector.
It's wonderful news that talent is joining the Magic Tower. Surely blessings will follow the magic you wield. I've never heard of a commoner thriving there, but I have high hopes for you.
I am Widro, Department Head of the Magic Tower.
The Inspector role isn't easy, but I possess considerable information that may aid you. We've prepared your inauguration at the upscale restaurant 'Breath of Sunset.' I look forward to our meeting.
I closed my eyes after reading both letters.
Two Department Heads. An inauguration held only once, at the same time. But different locations... All the clues pointed to one thing.
"...Look at this?"
This was clearly factionalism.
The Imperial Magic Tower was split into two factions internally.
The intent was obvious without asking: to see which Department Head I'd side with on my very first day as Inspector.
In other words, simply put...
—Whose side are you picking?
That's what they were asking. Cocky little upstarts.
My gaze shifted to Solana across from me.
She looked like a bright sunflower facing my way. Curious about the letters and my reaction, she'd been watching me with sparkling eyes the whole time.
"Solana, do you know about Knox, Department Head of the Imperial Magic Tower?"
"Of course. He's the head of the Practical Faction."
"What about Widro?"
"I know him. He's the leader of the opposing Theoretical Faction."
Solana's brow furrowed.
"...Don't tell me those letters were from each of them?"
"Spot on."
"Oh no. It probably wasn't good news."
She pressed a tiny palm to her forehead.
"Truth be told, the Imperial Magic Tower doesn't just have bad relations with outsiders. Internally, the two schools of thought are in sharp conflict. It's not widely known, but those in the know are aware."
"Conflict between two schools?"
"Yes. Theory versus practicality... That's the divide."
"I've heard magic scrolls have advanced quite a bit."
"Exactly. As scroll quality has exceeded expectations, many traditional spells are coming under scrutiny these days."
Solana's explanation was simple and clear.
With scrolls advancing beyond measure, the Imperial Magic Tower was deeply divided between the Practical Faction, which swore by scrolls, and the Theoretical Faction, which clung to old ways.
'Pick a side? Ridiculous.'
Her words confirmed the factions' existence and their attempt to drag me into the fray.
A hint of worry crossed Solana's face.
"Did they make some outrageous demand of you?"
"Don't worry about that."
I had no intention of taking sides.
And even less of being manipulated.
What actually bothered me was something else.
"How's my background and record listed right now?"
"Hmm... It's been erased, so no record to speak of. Status is listed as commoner, I suppose."
"Ah."
That figured. It all made sense now.
Their attitudes were what grated most.
I reread the key lines from the letters.
—We eagerly await how your blank record will be filled with achievements here.
'Let's see what a nobody without a resume accomplishes.'
—I've never heard of a commoner thriving there, but I have high hopes for you.
'What commoner sets foot in the Magic Tower? Show me if you can make it big.'
The implications were crystal clear. I couldn't help but chuckle.
Whoosh─
I exhaled a long plume of Sunweed smoke.
"They really see me as a parachute drop-in."
Commoner background. Zero experience.
To long-time Department Heads at the Imperial Magic Tower, I was prime prey. Swallow me whole, turn me into a puppet overseer—perfect for them.
"... "
That's when I noticed Solana staring straight at me.
She propped her chin on both hands on the table, gazing my way. It almost looked like a sunflower with its calyx.
I met her eyes silently, chewing my Sunweed. We had moments like this in the past too. Quiet spells where we'd just look at each other without a word.
Solana broke the silence first.
"By the way, teacher."
"Yeah?"
"Spending time alone like this... doesn't it feel just like that?"
"It does."
We spoke in unison right after.
"Feels like a lesson."
"Feels like a date."
Solana's eyes stretched wide left and right.
"...A lesson? What am I supposed to be learning right now?"
"If you're top-tier, you can learn from anything."
"Forget it. Anyway, this isn't a lesson."
Solana waved it off lightly.
"Anyway, you seem pretty amused right now. What does it say? Can I hear?"
"Nothing much."
I crunched my Sunweed.
The little pop in my mouth. Nice.
"Just asking for a good scolding."
No trouble at all.
Just a bit annoying.