EP.236 Uninvited Guest (4)
What is the Night of Mages?
Rania doesn’t have great memories of the Night of Mages. For her, it was merely a bothersome event.
Countless mages gather in the Royal Capital, hosted by six tower masters. Given its long-standing tradition, attendance isn’t optional.
‘That’s not all.’
It’s not just about participating.
The responsibilities fall on the six tower masters. In short, it’s a pile of annoying tasks.
Annoying.
Really, it’s excessively annoying.
She must prepare a list of invited mages, request cooperation from the Knights stationed in the capital, send letters to mages from noble families, and… there are mountains of other tasks to handle.
And preparing alone is not enough.
She must finalize the research she’ll present at the Magic Academy Conference and prepare a speech as a representative of her tower.
“If the event schedule is suddenly arranged like this, it will be incredibly busy, right?”
Rania asked with a bittersweet smile.
The girl sitting opposite her nodded.
“It does seem a bit tight.”
“Of course. That’s what the role of the next tower master entails.”
“Still, it’s not unmanageable. If I cut back a bit on sleep, I can get through it…”
The next Ashen Master. Resti Elenoa.
As Rania looked at the girl with purple hair sitting across from her, she lightly tapped the table.
“You look quite tired. Are you really okay?”
“I’m really fine.”
Though she said she was fine, fatigue was evident around Resti’s eyes. She was already juggling research, studies, and tower management while cutting back on sleep.
‘That alone must be a deadly schedule…’
If she’s adding preparations for the Night of Mages to that, she won’t just be cutting back sleep—she’ll need to pull all-nighters.
“…To be honest, I think it’s a bit overwhelming.”
“Of course. I remember when I was young, I went ten days straight without sleep for research. People just can’t handle it.”
Ah, fond memories.
Muttering like that, Rania gazed out the window with misty eyes, which wasn’t really fitting for her early twenties appearance.
“So, here’s the thing.”
Rania set down the teacup she had been fiddling with.
“You can take a break during the festival. It’s fine to catch up on missed classes after the festival ends.”
Honestly, there wouldn’t be much to catch up on.
By the time the second semester rolled around, Resti had established herself solidly as the top student in her year. She had received the highest grades in most classes, and…
“To be honest, we can’t really teach her anything.”
“That class probably seems like a review to her. It can’t be helped; she’s the leader of a tower representing a school of magic.”
“Sometimes, I feel like I learn from her. She’s just such a smart kid. After class, she quietly comes to me with questions, and her questions are so sharp.”
Even the professors said they had nothing to teach her. As a result, the only classes where she could still gain knowledge were Rania’s and Rosel’s.
“And you need personal time too, right?”
Rania lightly tapped at her eyes.
“You learned, right? From Professor Lrutia… um, from Kelharlem.”
Resti nodded.
“I’m the mage called Kelharlem, known as the Braver in the world, and I apologize for our first encounter.”
About a month ago, Resti learned of Professor Lrutia’s true identity from her own lips.
“I was asked by Professor Rania.”
“You mentioned Summoner class, right? Also, you have the talent of a Watcher. In that case, I think I have something to teach you.”
The Braver, Kelharlem.
A mage who had reached the level of a superhuman.
But even before he became a superhuman, he was an educator who shared various insights and advice on the “Summoner” class with Resti.
“I have experience teaching a kid with the talent of a Summoner. A wise child. You must know her.”
Celestia von Arta.
The strongest Spirit Master, who commanded the highest spirits.
“I learned a lot from her, what she worked on together with me. So, I’m thinking of teaching you everything I know.”
The master who raised such a Spirit Master, Kelharlem.
“But first, one thing.”
“Don’t trust the stars. No matter what, don’t rely on them. That’s the one thing I must say.”
His direct teaching on the definition of a Summoner broadened Resti’s perspective. The problem was that she didn’t have the time to implement what she learned.
“So, this is an opportunity to rest and also do personal training and event preparation. Doesn’t that sound good?”
“…It really does.”
“There’s something I need to tell you after the festival, but that’s for later. For now, shall I take care of the procedure for the break?”
“Yes, thank you.”
Rania took out her quill pen.
As she brushed her flowing hair back with her fingers, she pulled out a piece of paper and began to write. Resti briefly watched her.
Scritch, scritch.
The sound of the quill gliding across the paper filled the room.
When she was almost finished with the document, Resti spoke up.
“Professor Rania.”
“Yeah? What is it?”
“What did Lord Raniel think of the Night of Mages?”
“Why do you ask?”
“I’ve been asked to prepare the speech for this event.”
The upcoming Night of Mages was almost like a debut for Resti.
For someone who had rarely participated in public events as the next tower master, this was an opportunity to showcase herself.
To show she was the Ashen Master.
To reveal she had successfully risen to her position.
“You seem a bit lost.”
“…Yes. I heard that the Ashen Mage prepared for the Night of Mages shortly after becoming the next tower master. I was wondering how it was for him back then…”
“He hated it immensely.”
“Huh?” Resti blinked.
Rania shrugged as she continued.
“Every time he came home, he’d tear his hair out, shouting that he wanted to rip the heads off those old fools… Screaming why he had to do this.”
“…The Ashen Mage?”
“Yep. Even my master was horrified.”
Rania chuckled softly.
“But still, he got it done in the end. Have you seen the speech he wrote before?”
Resti nodded.
“Mages must be inquisitive beings.”
Thus began a line from a speech that is still often cited to this day.
“That was completed the night before the speech. He was mumbling that he’d quickly finish it and get back to research.”
“Somehow…”
“Somehow, it’s quite different from what you imagined, right?”
Rania leaned her chin on her hand.
“That’s just how he is. And, the Night of Mages isn’t really something of significant meaning either. I understand what you’re thinking.”
She smiled gently.
“You don’t need to choke yourself over having to showcase yourself as the next tower master. In the end, recognition comes naturally when you accumulate results.”
Trying to forcefully build up will only lead to collapse and resentment. Rania patted Resti on the shoulder.
“I often hear about you from my master, and you’re doing quite well, you know? Just keep going like this, and it’ll be enough.”
“Is that so?”
“Indeed. You’re doing just fine.”
At Rania’s praise, the corners of Resti’s mouth twitched slightly. She covered her mouth with her collar.
It was unlikely for someone leading a school of magic to be able to praise a future tower master like a child. There were only a few people capable of such praise.
‘Other people would take offense at this.’
But hearing praise from Professor Rania didn’t feel unpleasant.
If anything, it felt good.
With her mouth covered, Resti slightly lowered her head.
“Thank you for sharing your story.”
“Not at all. You’re busy, so hang in there.”
Just as they finished their conversation and Resti was about to stand up…
“Oh wait.”
Rania clapped her hands.
“Resti, can I ask you one thing?”
“Yes?”
“The research my brother, the Ashen Mage, left unfinished in Arcana, you know?”
“Ah, you mean the research documents stored in the treasury?”
“…Is that in the treasury? Why?”
“Nothing else, but there are so many people eyeing the ‘Arcana research’ materials.”
“Oh, really?”
Rania made a mysterious face.
“Anyway, there should be something called augmented Arcana in that research… I’m thinking of trying to make a final product from it.”
“A final product… you’re going to make one?”
Resti blinked.
She knew about the augmented Arcana research. It was part of the category of ‘restoring ancient magical artifacts’ that the Ashen Mage was conducting before leaving Arcadia.
But to complete that?
That research was left suspended at the crucial stage of deciphering the operational principles of the magical artifacts from the Ancient Kingdom.
‘…How?’
As Resti looked at Rania with questioning eyes, Rania subtly diverted her gaze, mumbling.
“…I recently found a useful relic. I ‘happened’ to discover it while on vacation at a ruin.”
…She found it? Happened upon it?
There were many dubious parts, but Resti slowly nodded.
“Then, do you want to see the related materials?”
“It would be nice if you could. I want to check if there’s anything I’ve missed.”
“Well, it’s tied up in the treasury, so it can’t be loaned out… but it’s fine to read within the tower.”
“Will you be going together?” Resti asked, and Rania nodded.
“By the way, Professor Rania.”
As they left the professor’s office and walked toward the tower, Resti posed her question.
“Where did you go for vacation?”
“Hmm? Oh, to the land of Ashes.”
Resti’s steps halted abruptly.
She looked at Rania with wide eyes.
“…You went on vacation to the land of Ashes?”
“Yep. The view was nice. The air was a bit hazy, though.”
A vacation… to cursed land?
Should she take this as a joke? But was Professor Rania the kind of person to make such jokes? Resti felt her head beginning to spin in confusion.
‘…There must be a reason for everything.’
In the end, as usual, Resti decided to think simply. There were rarely any events in Professor Rania’s behavior that could be understood easily.
—
“This time, I really plan to take revenge on the Ashen Mage. A dreadful, terrible, dark vengeance…!”
The Master of the Black Tower, Yetual, looked at his long-time friend who was ranting beside him.
“I’ve endured all these long years thinking of that damn bastard’s face who ruined my business. This time, my will shall bear fruit.”
The Master of the Blue Tower, Brick Geobahn.
Though he was only a few years older, Yetual couldn’t help but let out a deep sigh at seeing his friend, who looked far too old. In fact, they were more like fellow alumni from the same academy than friends.
“What do you mean, Brick?”
“You must know. The humiliation I suffered at the hands of the Ashen Mage. The disgrace of that day when he ruined my business…!”
That was just because you were complacent.
Holding back the sharp retort rising to his throat, Yetual quietly listened to Brick’s words. Conclusively, it could be summarized as follows.
“Challenging the Ashen Mage was a duel for the ‘honor of mages’, and that duel belongs to the Trias family. Therefore, Rania van Trias must take their place.”
After summarizing Brick’s lengthy monologue in a couple of sentences, Yetual rubbed his temples.
“Did I understand you correctly, Brick?”
“Absolutely! You’re quite quick to understand.”
Brick’s eyes sparkled.
Seeing the eyes of a middle-aged man that had grown older than he should be gleam like that was quite a disgusting sight for Yetual, so he closed his eyes.
Ultimately, there was only one thing he could convey as a friend.
“Give it up.”
“…What?”
“I said give it up.”
“You too!”
Brick’s breath became ragged.
“I heard you’ve been in touch with that young mage named Rania. Are you saying this because you’re thinking of her?”
“Not at all.”
“No way! After knowing me for decades, you’re going to defend some young kid. What a disappointment!”
Yetual let out a laugh.
“Looks like you’re misinterpreting, Brick.”
Yetual squinted at Brick.
“What I’m saying ‘give it up’ is for your sake, not hers.”
“…Are you saying I’m not as good as that girl?”
Yetual answered his question with silence.
Brick took that as an insult and raised his voice.
“How absurd! Just wait and see, Yetual. I’ll prove that you’re wrong and that I’m utterly correct.”
With a bang, Brick slammed the table and stormed out, while Yetual simply shook his head.
“…Whatever happens, good luck.”
He had fulfilled his duty as an alumnus.
Though Brick insisted on walking into the flames of hell despite his advice… Yetual had no obligation to stop him.
—
Most of the research conducted by the Ashen Mage, Raniel van Trias, is closely monitored within the tower.
Most of the documents and research materials remain intact in the top floor of the tower, in the laboratory used by Raniel, but… only one field, the Arcana materials, are stored separately in the tower treasury.
Too many people are eyeing that paperwork.
The Arcana research conducted by Raniel was suspended just before completion, filled with studies where only one piece needed to be adjusted to finalize the research.
“At one time, dozens of mages sought to make copies of those documents to complete that research.”
Of course, no one managed to finish it.
Just one part remained unfilled, and no one could fit that piece.
“Then there were indications of attempted theft, so all materials related to Arcana research were moved to the treasury. There’s an explicit order not to touch them.”
“…That really happened?”
“It was a while ago.”
Walking while chatting with Resti and making their way to the treasure room, Rania sensed something strange.
‘…They’re trying not to even make eye contact?’
During her last visit to the tower, she felt subtle gazes, but now all passing mages have their heads lowered.
As if they shouldn’t make eye contact at all.
That scene resembled how her students treated her at the end of the first semester, so Rania tilted her head in confusion. This wasn’t Apuria.
‘It’s not me they’re scared of…’
Rania glanced sideways.
The mages, while engaging in pleasant conversation with Resti, were showing visible fear.
“Resti.”
“Yes, Professor Rania.”
“What did you do?”
What in the world could have caused this?
“I’m not sure.”
Resti smiled faintly.
“A certain elder who was quite corrupt retired, but there were some problems during the process, you know.”
Her eyes narrowed.
“That faction he led held a protest.”
Various mages walking nearby visibly startled at those words, with their heads lowering even further.
“Fortunately, it has been sorted out now.”
Only then did Rania realize the source of the odd sensation.
The badges worn by the mages bowing their heads bore quite high ranks; at least not ones that should be lingering in the lower ranks.
‘At least they are mid-level management…’
Why were all these guys stuck down here?
Finding the answer to that wasn’t hard.
‘They conducted a sword dance, Resti.’
Though she had heard rumors, Resti’s aura in the academy compared to that of Resti as the next tower master seemed to present a rather different image.
“Let’s head over, Professor.”
As Rania looked at Resti smiling at her, she recalled the words she had once said herself.
“Mages, particularly those from the Ashen Tower, are often quite troublesome and twisted.”
There were no exceptions.
