Chapter 40
Chapter 40
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 40
Chapter Title: Magic Tower -1
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Magic Tower
A coalition of mages, an academy researching magic, or an oversight bureau supervising illegal magic and magical developments.
Currently, it is divided into the Blue Tower, Red Tower, White Tower, and Black Tower according to each field.
This was not only for efficient division of labor by field but also a division of power to check and cooperate so that each Magic Tower wouldn't stray...
<...That's the official line, anyway.>
But in truth, the reality was so rotten and festering that it might as well have been hollow inside.
<Magic research has mostly turned into a patent battle royale, and now some mages aren't just supervising magic—they're trying to monopolize it.>
Even in the Sage's era, magic research wasn't purely driven by noble intentions, of course.
But at least back then, they valued it more as an academic pursuit than as a tool for business or power.
That much, the Sage could proudly claim.
[Hah... And? Who are the dog breeds of mages dabbling in black magic?]
Feeling a pang of regret as that pride was trampled, the Sage asked. With that sigh, Leo pulled out something to make him face the even deeper abyss of reality.
[...What's with the notebook?]
<Normally, I'd say flip through it yourself, but...>
As an incorporeal ghost, that seemed like too much to ask.
[...But why's this notebook as thick as a novel?]
As the Sage said, the notebook Leo held was impressively thick. It could probably rival a Magic Tower textbook.
The table of contents alone spanned ten pages, like a mini-dictionary.
[Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 3... You ranked people like they're products? And not just one or two.]
<It's not like I enjoyed doing it. But systematic organization is better, right?>
Roughly, it was calculated based on the number of people killed. Plus, each entry detailed risk levels, personalities, and deeds individually, so the notebook had no choice but to be thick.
[So, who's the top priority to kill first?]
<...I'm not killing anyone. Not yet, anyway.>
It hadn't even happened yet, and killing over it could make him suspicious too.
<So, we handle them like this instead.>
[What's this time?]
Flipping to the back, a page titled "Subjects Eligible for Summary Execution" appeared.
<Like that pedo bastard earlier, some are plotting behind the scenes in the Magic Tower right now. A few have already dipped into black magic.>
[...Oh ho...]
The Sage flashed a satisfied rotten grin. Makes sense—if he had a chance to chew out and beat a junior for dogshit behavior, he'd make that face too.
"We're here! Over there, right?"
Aria waved enthusiastically, calling Leo over. He wasn't sure what had her so excited, but no need to rain on her parade if she was happy.
"Yeah, looks like it."
Where Aria pointed stood four tall towers. They looked more like colorful pillars than towers, connected by a rectangular building in a square formation.
[...Back in my day, there wasn't that boxy thing.]
<They added buildings because the Magic Tower's population exploded and they needed more space.>
[Oh, that's not bad? These kids finally grew some flexibility.]
Leonardo agreed the plan was decent. It had even helped close the gap between people and magic or the Magic Tower a bit.
"Let's head in."
Aria nodded at Leonardo's words and they made for the Magic Tower.
"Rios...?"
At that moment, a woman brushing back her disheveled hair looked at Aria's group and asked. Her droopy ears subtly hinted at her race.
"Yes?"
"Ah... No, my mistake. Sorry, I thought you were someone else."
She yawned repeatedly, rubbing her dark-circled eyes. She looked like she hadn't slept in days.
"How do you know my brother's name?"
"Brother...? You're Rios's little sister...?"
The weary, grimy woman asked in a listless voice. She seemed like she'd faint if poked.
"Yeah...? So?"
"Mr. Geoffrey went to see you off... Didn't you meet him...?"
Leonardo briefly explained what happened.
The train commotion and refusing Geoffrey's guidance.
"...I see... That must be tough for youuu..."
Honestly, she looked the tougher one.
[...Why's she like that? Some lich or what?]
<That's harsh. Even you can see she's a half-elf.>
Those pointed ears convinced even the Sage. But one thing still didn't add up.
[Then why does she look half-dead?]
<She's a grad student.>
[Gave up being human in a whole other way.]
<Fair.>
"Sorry for the late introo... I'm Ameri Esprit. Black Tower grad student... half-elf, 4th circle mageee..."
She introduced herself with half-lidded eyes. Ariasfil watched her with concern.
"...Are you okay?"
"Ahahaha... I'm fine. Just haven't slept..."
She forced a weary smile and held up five fingers.
"Ah... Five hours..."
"Five days of all-nighters... Coffee'll fix me right up..."
She smiled as she said it, but no one responded. A cold, pitiful air hung around instead.
[One more day and she'll be a lich.]
Leonardo couldn't deny it.
"...Could you guide us, by any chance?"
Worried she'd collapse mid-walk, Leonardo asked with some consideration.
"Yeees...? You sure that's okay...?"
Ariasfil might've felt a twinge of jealousy normally, but the woman was so pitiful she couldn't refuse.
"Yes... I'll do my best to guide youuu..."
"Thank you."
She stretched her hunched back and led Leonardo's group.
"So... straight to the Tower Master's office...?"
"Yeah, that'd be great."
He'd planned to ask for a short tour, but he couldn't burden this pitiful grad student with more labor.
"Then... right awayyy..."
She pulled out a worn paper and unfolded it.
"...Huh?"
In that instant, the group teleported right in front of a building. No magic circle—just instant movement. Ariasfil couldn't help but panic.
"How...?"
"Teleportation magic... Got you here as fast as possibleee..."
"No, I mean... how without a magic circle...?"
No spirit in sight. Nor did it seem like an ultra-fast circle formation.
"The circle's... on the floooor... And..."
Ameri showed her tattered unfolded paper.
"This map... links to that circle's coordinates... Instant teleport anywhere, anytimeee..."
[This is impressive. Even in my era, few made magic tools like that.]
The Sage's praise matched Leo's shock. With his own dabbling in magic, he couldn't help but admire the map's utility and value.
"How'd you make this? It's amazing!"
"Ehehe... Didn't think it'd work myself... Professors call at dawn a lot... No bus fare... No carriages often... So I made it... Hehe..."
Why did everyone look at her with pity when she was clearly smiling?
Too many relatable reasons—words just wouldn't come.
"Rios helped a loooot... He's good at teleportation..."
The intent was good, but the result... No easy praise or cheers came.
Maybe because the Sage beside him remembered mining blast magic turned terrorist tool.
"...Then I'll call the Black Tower Masterrr..."
Ameri knocked on the door with trembling hands.
"...Huh...?"
No answer to the knock. She peered at the door with quivering eyes.
"Ah... He's out right nooow... Probably at lunchhh..."
"That's fine. We'll come back later."
"Then... guide you some moooore...?"
That was too hard to allow.
Ethics and conscience wouldn't permit it.
"No need. Just point us to a rest spot? Like the library...?"
"Aaa... Got ittt..."
She pulled out her magnum opus of effort and suffering again.
One blink, and they were at the library entrance.
"Ah, thanks."
"Want book recs toooo...? I'll do my best..."
"No, we're good. You made getting around easy."
Not that he disliked her.
Just her eyes—looking opposite directions like she'd lost it—were unsettling.
"Then... off to buy that coffee..."
"Just sleep."
"...Yees...?"
"Say you guided us. Go home or dorm and crash."
"Aaa..."
Her dazed eyes cleared up.
"Thank you so much...! Haven't slept in foreveeer..."
Then, the watch on her wrist glowed.
"Huh? What's that?"
"One secooond..."
She held the watch to her face and conversed. After several "Yes" and "Yeah" replies, she gloomily said, "Understoood..."
"...Sorryyy... Gotta go see the professorrr..."
Her cherished dream of sleep shattered—everyone offered silent condolences.
[...Frankly, I'd get it if she turned black mage.]
<In her past life, she sticks to white magic. She graduates grad school, thankfully.>
[Humanity wins. True human victory.]
If extolling human spirit, Leonardo would cite this woman immediately.
Not a joke—sincere awe.
"...But... this is..."
Ariasfil picked up a dropped shabby wallet. Its ragged state made the owner obvious.
"Looks like she dropped it. I'll return it."
"Ah, know where she went?"
"From the spell formula she used, I roughly pinpointed it. Close by—be right back. Read something light till then."
Ariasfil nodded without objection. She was tired anyway, and reading sounded nice.
"Back soon."
"Yeah, hurry."
Leo left the library to return the wallet.
"...What book to read, though?"
Aria had shallow knowledge of magic even outside the Tower. To her, the books were cryptic puzzles.
Elemental Symbols for Advanced Magic Fusion
Magic Squares for Stable Magic Circle Construction
"All so hard..."
Scanning shelves, her eyes caught a somewhat familiar title.
Mysteries of the Human Body and Life
"This looks easier..."
Human body and life—surely linked to swordsmanship or martial arts. To supplement theory, Aria opened it.
And before Leo returned, Ariasfil learned all about "How Babies Are Made."