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Dawn’s Tower, 6th Library.

It was a library of the Magic Tower, known as a repository of knowledge, containing countless books that chronicled the ancient histories of the magic realm of the continent.

When discussing the library of the Magic Tower, one cannot overlook the treatment of the Magic Books stored there.

The seven tower masters said to govern the current magic realm each possessed exceptional capabilities worthy of being called grand sorcerers, but not all those with such abilities occupied the position of tower master. Some continued their quiet research in obscurity, while others, like Mitros Gerald, the head of the Department of Magic at Estellia Academy, held important positions in institutions other than the Magic Tower.

Nevertheless, the seven towers remained pioneers in the magic realm due to their rich histories and the enormous number of Magic Books generated by that history.

Magic Books are not merely tomes inscribed with the formulas for learning magic. Such writings are classified as magic texts devoid of magical power.

The study of magic isn’t simply about performing spells; it’s akin to a path toward a common goal of ‘transcendence.’ Magic Books are more like byproducts created during the sorcerers’ journey along that path.

They documented the wisdom born from the process of uncovering one’s true self on the path to transcendence, which is why Magic Books possess an immeasurable amount of magical energy from the moment they are created.

Can one compare the wisdom contained in items pointing to the path toward the Divine with mere sheets of paper scrawled with words? The gap between a Magic Book that can embody knowledge simply by reading it and a magic text that merely lists incantations is vast.

Fundamentally, the Magic Tower is an institution dedicated to the study of magic.

This fact also serves to connect them as a community under the name of the Magic Tower. The first seven sorcerers, revered as the progenitors of magic, bequeathed many Magic Books for their disciples, leading to the creation of the current structure as time passed.

By monopolizing ‘wisdom,’ the position of the Magic Tower only became more solid over time.

There were tower masters even before the current seven tower masters, and the Magic Books left by these past masters were stored in one of the Magic Tower’s libraries, but access was strictly limited, only available to the tower masters.

Being grand sorcerers, the books left behind by these adept practitioners contained enough devastating magic to erase a nation from the map with just a single manifestation; thus, such dangerous items could not be treated carelessly.

The 6th Library of Dawn’s Tower was indeed one of those places where dangerous Magic Books were kept.

The fundamental magic handled by Dawn’s Tower relied on the use of the power of stars to manifest ‘Celestial Magic,’ and the 6th Library served as a repository for books pertaining to this Celestial Magic.

Since all past tower masters had also mastered Celestial Magic, it was only natural that their Magic Books were stored in the 6th Library.

While it is true that the Magic Books of former Dawn’s Tower masters were preserved in the 6th Library, accessing them was a separate matter; thus, the 6th Library, which could be said to be the foundation of knowledge for the people of Dawn’s Tower, was indeed the most familiar place for them.

However, merely reading a Magic Book would not ensure full comprehension of its wisdom. Each person’s capacity to understand the wisdom contained within differed, and so today, sorcerers obsessed with magic continued their studies in the 6th Library, eager to enhance their mental faculties.

Yet there was someone who captured their attention away from their studies. That was Joachim Edelweiss, the current tower master of Dawn’s Tower, and his daughter, Elena Edelweiss.

Blessed with a white exterior, the tower was known as the ‘White Tower,’ and both Edelweiss’s hair reflected their identity as its owner—a pure, snowy white.

Elena had visited the 6th Library before, but as always, her appearance drew everyone’s gaze, even the sorcerers consumed by magic could not help but notice her.

Having been away from Merohim for a while, Elena’s sudden reappearance was inevitable in drawing attention, especially with the tower master, Joachim, by her side, making it unavoidable for eyes to be directed toward them.

However, once Elena and Joachim began to pull out books, the others resumed their focus on their work.

Regardless of their status, Elena and Joachim were surely here in search of wisdom, just like everyone else. Understanding this, they shifted their focus back to their own Magic Books, striving to comprehend even just one more.

However, contrary to their assumptions, Elena had no intention of seeking wisdom here.

It wasn’t for a lack of interest in magic; she had already mastered all the magic present. Even with her ‘rebirth’ allowing time to turn back, her mind was not going back to the past.

“Elena, the stars in the night sky all have their names. And those names carry power. Celestial Magic utilizes these to…”

The information spouting from Joachim’s mouth was already known to Elena. Yet, the reason she listened to him explain magic here was due to her words to him.

Elena’s claim of not knowing something was merely a hasty excuse to comfort her lonely father.

Originally, she was supposed to be walking through Winter Castle with Damian, discussing her memories tied to it. But to prevent Joachim from taking both herself and Damian away, she had to come up with something.

Had she left it as is, all her plans would have gone to waste, so Elena needed to think of something soon to stop Joachim.

“The barrier surrounding Dawn’s Tower also utilizes the power of the stars. Do you know what those stars are?”

“Hex, Rigel, and Durol.”

“Good to know. Then this time, let’s talk about something else…”

But as time passed, Elena began to enjoy her lessons with Joachim, which had started as mere excuses.

Thinking back, she’d never really been taught anything substantial during her three lifetimes.

She was a genius surpassing Joachim, and though it took some time to read the Magic Books in the tower, it didn’t take long for her to internalize them completely. She eventually acquired a teacher, but it wasn’t Joachim.

Thus, spending time with her father in this way was a first.

Possessing more knowledge than Joachim, his questions were not challenges for her, yet she still answered him with a joyful face.

Seeing his daughter respond effortlessly to his questions made Joachim smile broadly.

As Elena answered the final question effortlessly, he chuckled softly and said to her, “You are indeed my daughter. To answer every question without a hitch—you truly are a genius of the century. Now, what was it you wanted to know?”

“Ah!… That, um…”

Upon Joachim’s words, Elena realized her lie had been exposed.

In her enjoyment of the exchange, she had forgotten to pretend not to know and spontaneously answered without hesitation. However, Joachim merely laughed at her flustered state and showed no intention of scolding her.

He closed the book in his hand and put it back on the shelf, addressing Elena in a gentle voice.

“Do you really like that fellow that much?”

“…Yes.”

At Joachim’s remark, Elena replied softly, her face slightly flushed.

Watching this, Joachim gently patted Elena’s head. She let him, mirroring his silence.

“You were always a child of few words. You didn’t smile much, either. Do you know how worried Adele and I were? But now, we can breathe freely without that worry.”

Since childhood, Elena had expressed her emotions sparingly, so seeing her bright demeanor was strange yet pleasant for Joachim. He wanted to thank Damian for letting him see such a variety of expressions.

‘The moment I see even a trace of water in Elena’s eyes, I must trap it in ice.’

Yet, some things remained unchanged.

“By now, that fellow has surely had a good chat with Damian. It’s time for us to head back. We’ll need to prepare before going outside.”

As Joachim said this, Elena prepared to leave her seat, smiling more brightly than ever.

Joachim, aware that Elena would react this way, still couldn’t hide the bitter smile on his face when he witnessed it.

Seeing Elena’s bright smile brought him joy, but knowing that it was because of Damian made him bear a bitter smile.

*

“Father, you knew all along…”

I wondered when he had figured it out.

Maybe he had known from the very beginning.

Although he appeared solemn on the surface, I knew well that my father had the spirit of a playful boy within him. It was likely that he had known all along but deliberately chose not to say anything.

Still, it was a pleasant surprise.

Even while solving simple problems, I found myself engrossed in conversation with my father, completely drawn into it without realizing it.

At first, I had only felt disappointment about losing time with Damian, but perhaps it was because he was my father that I didn’t feel that regret much while spending time together.

Having been overshadowed by my time with him, I realized only now how meaningful Winter Castle was to me. Recalling the severed bonds that were reunited here, those memories were as precious as my feelings toward him.

Returning to Winter Castle felt much like the time we had gone out together in Sarham. Ever since I came back, I felt strangely buoyant, enveloped in this comfort.

Perhaps that’s why I could muster such courage.

Usually, I would blush and freeze up just at the sight of him, but in this place that was the most comfortable for me, the words I had never been able to say to him flowed out easily.

Yet even so, the thought of meeting him made me smile uncontrollably the moment my father gave his consent.

My father’s pitiful gaze upon me as I observed myself still lingered in my mind.

But what could I do about it? No matter how my father looked at me, hiding my feelings for him was almost impossible. I had already hidden them sufficiently in my past life.

“More importantly, I wonder how he’s doing…”

After breakfast today, I recalled the dazed expression on his face when my father mentioned the uninvited guest.

I couldn’t help but smile at the thought.

Surely, his condition was similar to this now. The way he had looked at me when I left was reminiscent of a sad puppy, and it had been so adorable.

Knowing Franz’s personality, I was aware that he wouldn’t be worrying too much about anything.

I already knew who the uninvited guest my father mentioned during yesterday’s banquet was. No matter how excellent Franz Ertuven’s spatial isolation barrier was, my father wouldn’t have missed it.

I didn’t know what had happened between him and Duke Ertuven, but it didn’t seem worth worrying about.

As I recalled my father’s smile when he mentioned Franz, I thought he must have known that he would be in for some trouble with Duke Ertuven.

“Elena…”

As expected, the moment my eyes landed on him, he looked as deflated as a slime.

What on earth had happened to make him look so exhausted? While I was curious, I decided to just smile and welcome him.

After all, opportunities to witness him in such a slumped state were rare. I hurriedly quickened my pace to see his face.

“Damian, why do you look like that… uh… uh?”

“I missed you.”

Yet, contrary to my expectations, I found myself unable to move the moment I stood before him.

Before I could even greet him, he easily pulled me into his embrace and whispered softly in my ear.

Suddenly enveloped in his warmth and the sound of his gentle voice, my mind went blank. Although it wasn’t the first time he had held me, this felt too sudden.

Yet, my mind was melting away in his warmth, rendering logical thought impossible.

I couldn’t even contemplate why he had come to embrace me.

In truth, my logic was erased, leaving only the instinct to get closer to him, pushing further into his embrace.

 

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