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A round table carved from stone.

Surrounding it were seven chairs that seemed to have been carved at the same time as the table itself, occupied by the renowned grand magicians of the continent.

Only the owners of the seven towers, unique structures scattered across the continent, could enter this place. This was the site of the “Tower Masters’ Meeting,” established since the seven magic towers were constructed.

Because of its significance, only those who had become tower masters knew about the movement portal that was unique to each tower, and the exact location of this place was known solely to the tower masters present.

Due to a sworn secrecy, no mentions of this location could be made, making it a completely isolated space with no external eyes upon it.

Given that such powerful individuals in the magical realm gathered here, it seemed obvious that they were planning something grand and important, but in reality, that was not the case.

While there were indeed events in the past that reshaped the history of the magical realm during these meetings, this place was initially created for the harmony and exchange among the seven towers, and its successors practiced this intent without misunderstanding.

Everyone present was a grand magician, having reached the exalted status among magicians, so it was inevitable for the mana in the air to feel weighty, but the atmosphere itself wasn’t heavy.

As all the tower masters took their seats, a young man with sky-blue eyes surveyed the room and stood up to declare.

“We will now begin the 7836th Tower Monthly Meeting.”

Currently known as the grand magician with the highest achievements among the tower masters, Theodore Aiolos, the Lord of the Wind Tower, was leading the meeting.

Due to the nature of magic, where aging slows down as one ascends to higher ranks, his youthful appearance was proof that he had crossed the “wall” unlike others.

With Theodore’s declaration, the tower masters began to pull out the materials they had prepared.

Although the purpose of this gathering was ostensibly to foster camaraderie among the towers, they were all scholars researching magic, and thus their curiosity regarding the study of magic itself, regardless of their expertise, was greater than that of any magician.

For them, the term “camaraderie” also referred to the exchange of knowledge, making it quite natural to have such an understanding.

The first to take the opportunity to present was the master of the Crimson Flame Tower. After levitating her materials for everyone to see, she spoke in an upbeat voice.

“Our research team has successfully managed to refine the process of Purification Stone, achieving a speed increase of approximately 1.37 seconds and completely eliminating impurities from the refining process. With a little more research, I believe we can further reduce the refining time.”

“Wow! A refinement of the purification process? That hasn’t changed in quite a while, has it? Could it be that this year’s membership fee goes to the Crimson Flame?”

The master of the Golden Tower, seated quietly, clapped and praised her. However, those present were not as focused on her words as they were on the commentary regarding the membership fee.

Membership fee.

It was unclear when this practice began, but records suggest that there was no such practice during the first Tower Master Meeting. It was likely established in later generations, yet regardless of its origin, this membership fee had become an important mechanism that added meaning to the Tower Master Meetings.

Every monthly meeting begins with collecting membership fees from each tower. Although they didn’t necessarily do anything money-making here, the gathered fees each month would be used as prizes in the end-of-year “Best Research of the Year” award.

Every year, each of the magic towers earns tremendous amounts of money through the mysterious techniques of magic, but the membership dues paid did not come from the tower’s wealth but from the personal funds of the tower masters, which added to its significance.

While most tower masters were more motivated by their desire for new knowledge rather than greed for money, that didn’t mean they disliked money.

After all, fundings are essential to begin new research and sustain the towers.

The enormous sums collected monthly from the seven tower masters. Yet, to think such amounts would accumulate twelvefold! The total would astonish even the Emperor of the Empire.

But above all, what inspired them was not just the money but the competitive spirit.

The seven magic towers, each focusing on different fields of development.

While there is an absolute concept of hierarchy, it does not reveal everything. This reflects not individual evaluations of the magicians as individuals, but an evaluation of the tower they lead as its master.

The materials presented by the tower masters were all results of research undertaken independently by magicians taught within their towers without the masters’ direct involvement. This serves as the best example of showcasing the capability of the tower under the leadership of the tower master.

Therefore, the competitive spirit must burn bright.

If simply asked who the best magician was, they could not surpass Theodore Aiolos, who serves as the chairperson of the meeting. But asked who operates the finest tower?

Surely, producing magnificent magicians is important, but there is not a single tower in this world that hasn’t had a grand magician of Theodore’s caliber among its past masters. Even the tower masters present here are considered geniuses among geniuses and have the potential to rise to such heights if given time.

Thus, they resolved to compete based on the achievements delivered by the tower they were leading, rather than their individual talents.

Keep in mind, the competitive spirit of those in the position of tower masters cannot be measured by conventional standards. These grand magicians, having reached high levels, could be the most rational amongst all, yet equally could behave like children.

“It’s still too early to jump to conclusions. Just take a look at the materials I prepared.”

“Isn’t it just the same marine life ecological map as last time?”

“No! This is extremely important! Recent research shows the population of Kingstar Crabs caught in the Glucaman Islands has drastically declined!!! There are some very complex reasons behind this…”

“In the end, doesn’t that mean we can’t have Kingstar Crabs anymore? Why say that here? Better to tell the Chancellor of the Germain Maritime Union where your tower is located. What’s more, here’s a revised golem blueprint created by one of my students…”

“The Kingstar Crab issue is significant!”

“Oh, come on.”

Following discussions included the ecological map of marine life and the new golems, and out of so much presented, perhaps the only striking contribution was the refined purification process by the Crimson Flame.

Now, it was finally time for the master of Dawn, Joachim Edelweiss, to present.

Known as an elemental master using all five attributes, he usually brought forth decent innovative items to the Tower Masters’ meetings. Some tower masters had been eagerly awaiting his turn.

However, in front of him lay nothing. It seemed he had come empty-handed.

Noticing something off, the other tower masters exchanged glances; he appeared deeply troubled. Theodore, as chairman, had not seen Joachim display such concern during their meetings, and worry crept into his voice.

“Joachim, is there something troubling you? You don’t look well.”

“Ah, I’m sorry. Just lost in thought for a moment.”

“That friend can be a bit of a nuisance. Is his daughter experiencing her teenage years?”

“Not quite.”

Joachim answered coldly in response to the teasing of the Twilight Master.

‘It’s about my daughter.’

While Joachim denied it, the tower masters inferred that his reaction hinted at something related to his daughter, Elena.

Elena, along with the children of masters, had met with those present here. They remembered Elena as a small, delicate, introverted girl, the kind you just wanted to hug.

To think that such a girl was now of age to enter her teenage years made a wistful expression spread across the faces of the tower masters. Amidst this, Heron Sephier, the master of the Verdant Tower, spoke to Joachim, also a father.

“Don’t worry too much. Children grow up quickly, and this phase will pass in no time. Being irritated is just a fleeting moment.”

Though she doesn’t even talk to me anymore… Heron added quietly, as her vibrant green hair began to wilt. Taken aback by her sudden mention of gloom, Joachim hurriedly sought to clarify her misunderstanding.

“What? No, it’s not because of her teenage years. Don’t get it twisted.”

“Then what’s causing you to be so gloomy? If it’s such a concern, then it has to be about Elena.”

“Um…”

Everyone began to focus their attention on Joachim, who finally opened his mouth in front of all the tower masters.

“I haven’t heard from my daughter…”

“Everyone’s making a big fuss over nothing…”

As Joachim walked toward his office, he muttered.

The one making the biggest fuss was none other than the Twilight Master, Franz Ertuven.

“What? She hasn’t contacted you?? Why on earth are you here?! You should be off searching for your daughter right now!!”

“No, she’s not missing; I sent her to her fiancé’s house, but I haven’t heard back…”

“Fiancée????? What about our Richard! Where is our Richard? Who are you sending our girl to marry?!”

“I don’t know why your son’s name is popping up, but Elena is currently at Count Kraus’s Lord Castle.”

“K-Kraus?? Why is Elena there? Are you telling me you arranged an engagement without telling me first?”

“That would be correct.”

“Y-You lot!! From the Academy to now, why do you always exclude me from your fun little gatherings?!”

Admittedly, calling it an engagement was a bit over the top.

Franz was blowing a fuse, recalling the past, while the other tower masters looked at Joachim with intrigued expressions.

Unable to bear their gaze any longer, Joachim retreated back to his tower.

“Was it this obvious on my face?”

While it was true that he wasn’t feeling well due to his daughter, it wasn’t to the extent of causing such concern among others. Elena wasn’t in a dangerous position; after all, she was beside the Sword Master, the safest place on earth.

He even received word from Arthur that Elena arrived safely. Now that she was in Count Kraus’s Lord Castle, she was no longer exposed to external dangers.

Nevertheless, what worried him was the lack of communication from the crystal sphere given to Elena.

‘Could it be that someone is intentionally blocking my communications…?’

For Joachim, the idea that Elena would choose not to reach out was not an option. Elena had always been an obedient daughter, listening well to her parents. Thus, he couldn’t help but lean toward the belief that someone was obstructing her contact with him.

“It can’t be Arthur… then who else?”

He shook his head, dismissing the thought that immediately came to mind. He distinctly remembered the face of the boy who had been a mess saving his peers two years ago. Should he act recklessly like that boy again, it would only bring tears to Elena’s eyes. Yet, despite his worries, he found the boy somewhat likable.

“That can’t be it…”

Over the years, although he often received compliments from Arthur, he had never heard of concerns for his son until now.

Clearing away the clutter of thoughts in his mind, he sat and stared at the crystal sphere.

If only he could contact her directly, but he didn’t want to create a weird impression on the castle’s servants as he did during the Tower Masters’ meeting today.

Just then, the crystal sphere began to glow.

Joachim smiled wide, thinking that this time, he finally received news from his daughter, but quickly his expression soured like a corpse infected with decaying dark magic upon seeing the reflection.

“What… what is that ridiculous face?”

[It’s quite rude to laugh right in front of someone’s face. You need to watch your words.]

“Have you not looked in a mirror today?”

The one who contacted Joachim wasn’t Elena, but rather Arthur Kraus, the lord of the castle where Elena was staying, and an old friend of Joachim. Although they maintained frequent contact, today, Arthur’s appearance on the sphere made Joachim doubt his sanity.

“Why on earth are you wearing a flower crown?”

[This? My youngest made it for me. Just like me, I suppose she’s quite skilled with her hands.]

“That’s your wife Arwen, not you. Are you off to a picnic or something?”

Joachim stopped mid-sentence, sensing something more beyond the small flower crown being shown off.

“You can’t be…”

As expected, Arthur displayed a playful smile, reminiscent of his younger self, and showed off a bracelet on his wrist.

[And this bracelet was made by our daughter…]

“You little rascal.”

Seeing the flower bracelet Arthur displayed made Joachim curse under his breath.

The territory of the House of Edelweiss, where the Dawn Tower resided, called Merohim, boasts a very cold climate. This resulted in a limited variety of native flowers, prompting Joachim to employ merchants negotiating climate control magic to cultivate a small garden within the castle for his flower-loving daughter.

The grateful smile from that time still lingered in Joachim’s memory as one of his life’s best moments.

He also clearly recalled the first time he picked a beautiful, fragrant flower to give Elena, only to be smacked by her little hand afterward.

He was well aware that the southern lands bred a diverse array of blooming flowers, as he had often visited during his youth and seen the vast gardens throughout the territory.

Thus, it wasn’t surprising for him to realize that flowers, unlike those scarce in his home region, were quite abundant down south. Making flower crowns or bracelets with ease while Elena was there made perfect sense.

Though his mind understood this clearly, the fatherly jealousy in him didn’t allow him to forgive the brat appearing right in front of him.

[Why are you upset?]

“Call them.”

[What?]

“Call your son and Elena right now. Before I teleport over there.”

 

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