Chapter 42
“…What did you just say?”
The atmosphere in the classroom instantly turned cold.
The instigator of this heavy atmosphere was none other than the Master of the Silver Tower, Siberte Harbor.
He asked with a chilling tone.
“What did you say, Ozwell’s disciple?”
Goooh!
His presence was so overwhelming that it was clear he was one of the ten strongest in the continent.
The pressure he exuded was enough to make an ordinary person faint right then and there.
In response to that intimidation, Stella chose to raise her middle finger.
“What the hell, you bastard?”
“….”
The sheer audacity of her attitude left the Master of the Silver Tower momentarily speechless.
“Seems like the Master of the Golden Tower hasn’t educated you well enough.”
“And what about you? Did you learn to slap your disciples around from your master?”
“This is discipline, you little brat.”
“It’s the modern age, and you’re still talking about discipline? Ah, it’s probably because you’ve been hit so much that your head hurts! Or are you senile? If you can’t even distinguish between discipline and violence!”
“…Stella?”
That biting sarcasm left not only the subject but also Serena at a loss for words.
“This… this little brat…”
“What are you gonna do about it? Want to slap me? Go ahead, old man. Shall we stir a war between the Golden Tower and the Silver Tower today?”
The veins on the Master’s forehead throbbed, swelling with rage.
‘Calm down. It’s just the nonsense of a little girl.’
He gathered himself and spoke in a softer tone.
“I see there’s been some misunderstanding, child. You’re right; I may have gotten a bit carried away with my words. However, this is just between the two of us. No other mage from different affiliations should intervene.”
“Just shut up and put her down.”
“…Looks like you don’t understand my words. Stop butting in…”
“You seem to be mistaken, Grandpa. She’s no longer part of your faction.”
Hearing that, both Serena and the Master of the Silver Tower wore expressions of confusion.
“Serena belongs to the Golden Tower starting today.”
“What nonsense is that?”
“It’s true! Ask Serena.”
At those words, the Master turned to Serena and asked.
“What does that mean, Serena?”
Serena hesitated, glancing back and forth between Stella and the Master.
“I… I…”
“Ugh, this is such a waste of time for this kind of wordplay. I’ll be going now.”
With that, the Master released the restraints on Serena that had been suspended in the air.
‘Is this really the end?’
Serena felt a sigh of relief. The situation hadn’t improved, but she was terrified that it would escalate just because of her.
“Going where?”
However, she was startled again by a voice that returned.
“St. Stella, that’s enough!”
“What now?”
Stella replied with a shrug to the Master’s question.
“Don’t we still have things to discuss? Mr. Attempted Murder?”
At that remark, the Master fell silent for a moment before opening his mouth.
“Attempted murder? That’s absurd. The defect regarding the Magical Tool was entirely Serena’s doing. It has nothing to do with me…”
“I never mentioned anything about a bracelet, did I? Is there a problem with the bracelet?”
The Master snorted dismissively.
“This girl thinks she can trick me with such a pathetic ruse? Are you saying the bracelet didn’t activate because of that kid’s magic?”
To that, Stella retorted playfully.
“When did I ever? You’re the one fabricating a story here. Feeling accused? Or did the thief get caught red-handed?”
The Master’s patience reached its limit, and he bellowed.
“Damn it! You insolent girl!”
“Ugh!”
In a flash, the Master grasped Stella’s neck with his left hand and pushed her against the wall.
“Look at you getting cocky just because I’ve been lenient!”
As the muscles in his left hand bulged, the grip around her neck tightened.
“Gack… cough… So, you’re going to choke me to death this time?..”
“Your mouth is a catastrophe. You should be punished.”
Magic began to gather in the Master’s right hand.
Seeing this, Serena screamed in horror.
“Master! Please, stop!”
The sound of her shout made the Master reach out his hand toward her.
With a thud, Serena was slammed against the wall.
“Shut up! You useless one! If only you hadn’t messed up!”
“…Finally confessed, didn’t you? You slippery old man.”
At that moment, Stella wore a devilish grin.
Hearing that, the Master realized his mistake but quickly followed up with a malicious smile.
“…Yes, I did command that one to kill you. So what? Do you have any evidence?”
“That’s as far as you go.”
As the Master turned his head toward the voice, a black-haired boy emerged from behind the door, holding a strange device in his hand.
“What’s this… who are you?”
“I’m not here to make small talk. Um… care to listen to this?”
As the boy pressed the button on the pen-like device, mechanical sounds followed, and a familiar voice began to play.
“Shut up, you useless one! If only you hadn’t messed up!”
The Master’s voice echoed back, word for word.
“Hmm, the sound quality is great, and that’s solid proof. You’re… finished.”
“This… what is this…”
The Master shouted in terror at the boy.
“Are you all conspiring to lead me into a trap?”
“You took the bait. If you’d just played dumb, this side would’ve had a hard time as well, so thank you.”
In the next instant, the boy’s expression turned icy.
“And… you better let go of that hand right now, you bastard.”
Seeing his reaction, the Master narrowed his eyes.
‘This little brat isn’t kidding around.’
This kid openly displayed killing intent, something Stella, despite her bravado, hadn’t done in readiness for a battle.
However, the boy faced an opponent who was dozens of times more powerful and took a stance like he was ready to jump right in.
“That’s just the arrogance of a puppy, nothing more.”
As the Master reached out toward the boy, Stella grasped his left hand tightly.
“If you do anything to him, I won’t let you go…”
As those words left her mouth, silver rocks began to form around her and the Master.
“Ha. So, you think it’s amusing to have a pair of fools against me.”
At that, the boy relaxed his stance with a calm expression.
“Not at all. Why would I be crazy enough to take on an Archmage? Just so you know, even if you destroy this, it’s pointless.”
Then, shaking the Magical Tool, he added.
“This Magical Tool can also communicate. My information dealer probably received it by now.”
Hearing that, the Master’s expression twisted with rage.
“What… you little punk… tell me where that information dealer is!!”
The boy snickered.
“Are you threatening me right now? You seem to be mistaken, Grandpa. You’re done for. Before your dirty secrets spread throughout the Empire, disappear right now, and don’t ever approach that girl again.”
At those words, the Master glanced back and forth between the boy and Stella with bloodshot eyes.
Finally, he released his grip on her.
“Cough… cough…”
Suppressing the boiling anger, the Master stepped out of the classroom.
As he passed by the boy, he spat out as if biting.
“I will never forget this debt, Ozwell’s disciple and you…”
With that, the Master disappeared.
*
“…Is he gone?”
Confirming the presence was gone, I rushed over to Stella, who was slumped down.
“Hey, are you okay?”
“Cough… cough… I’m fine. Just a little…”
There were clear handprints on her neck. Seeing that, I couldn’t stop my face from twisting.
“You… seriously…”
Just then, Serena bumped into me, rushing over to Stella and shouting.
“Are you out of your mind?!”
She grabbed Stella’s shoulders with both hands and shook her feverishly.
“Provoking the Master! You could’ve really died!!”
“Ugh… I feel dizzy…”
She was right. I knew Stella had an assertive personality, but to go head-to-head against one of the top ten was really something else.
Cold sweat was pouring down my back.
Serena then tightly hugged Stella while trembling and spoke with teary eyes.
“If something… had happened to you… I…”
“…Serena…”
Well, it was a touching moment, but were they this close?
Then Stella turned to me and said.
“Thanks for your help, Nova. But where did you get that Magical Tool?”
“Hmm? Oh, this? Didn’t I mention I was an adventurer? I have a pretty wide network.”
“That’s a recording Magical Tool and has communication features. Those must be pretty expensive. You must be doing well?”
“Not the communication part, though.”
At that, Stella gave me an incredulous look.
“How could you say that in front of that old man?”
“Can’t you tone it down a bit? Seriously, I feel like my lifespan is getting cut short every time you act like that.”
“…Sorry. But thanks to you, everything turned out okay, right?”
As she said that, Stella wore a bright smile.
“Of course! Want to hear about the experience of the new junior at the Golden Tower?”
“…Since when did I become your junior?”
“Well, just now… A-are you really not coming in?”
With that, Stella began to ramble.
“B-but if you go back to the Silver Tower, that slippery old man is going to pin everything on you and banish you for sure! So… you’re not coming in?”
At her words, Serena for the first time smiled happily and replied.
“Yes… that’s a really kind offer, but I’ll have to decline.”
“Wha… why? Our tower isn’t bad! If you join now, you’ll get a free pass to the Imperial Train and a personal room over 30 pyung…”
At that, Serena slowly shook her head and opened her mouth.
“Thanks to you, I’ve decided what I want to do. I’m going to return to my family.”
“Uh…? You’re not going to the tower?”
“No… I’m going to be an alchemist, not a mage.”
