Ch.10TowerInside (2)

I am not a mage.

In this world, the concept of vampires doesn’t exist, so even if I wanted to explain it, I couldn’t do so in a way people would understand.

Let’s think about it with an example.

If you tried to explain the elven race to someone unfamiliar with fantasy novels, what kind of response would you get?

They might find it an interesting concept, but it would be difficult for them to believe such a race exists in reality.

A race that manipulates blood like their own limbs and survives by drinking the blood of other creatures—would blood mages really want to believe such a convenient race exists?

When they’re using complex magic formulas to manipulate blood, how would they feel learning there’s a race that can do it by instinct alone…

I don’t think their reaction would be particularly positive.

In that sense, it would be foolish to try explaining that I’m a vampire, not a mage, and ask them to stop revering me as a Magic Tower Master.

It’s questionable whether they’d understand my explanation in the first place, and even if they did, being expelled from the Magic Tower would be the least of my concerns.

A thousand years have passed.

Everyone I once knew returned to dust long ago.

The Hero must be dead by now, and the Saint has likely returned to the god she believed in.

I was already shocked by the fact I couldn’t return home, and after sleeping for a while, a thousand years passed, leaving me thinking I was alone in this world.

But now I hear someone who knows me well is still alive and serving as the master of the Green Tower—shouldn’t I absolutely meet them?

And if I’m going to meet them, I should do it through proper channels.

I didn’t want to suddenly appear and cause trouble for someone who’s been working hard to survive.

So meeting as fellow Tower Masters seemed like the best approach for now.

Above all…

‘It feels as comfortable as my own home…’

For someone like me who now finds blood fragrant, this place where all kinds of blood gather is paradise, utopia itself.

I’ve finally found a comfortable place to stay, so there’s no need to make enemies and live a difficult life.

‘Then my immediate task is to make my Blood Claw Art look like Blood Magic…’

I looked again at the community post analyzing my Blood Claw Art.

‘…That doesn’t seem necessary.’

Seeing how even a supposedly high-ranking mage couldn’t properly identify that it wasn’t magic, it seems they can’t distinguish whether I’m using magic or not.

Even the elders didn’t say I was using some other art instead of magic…

If they had, I wouldn’t have been guided to this room.

Perhaps it’s only natural.

‘Is it because I’m using magical power all the same…’

The only difference is that I’m not using formulas to move blood, but in the end, there’s no difference in moving blood containing magical power.

Thinking about this…

‘Maybe I don’t need to hide it after all.’

If that’s the case, things would be much easier.

But for now…

I turned my head again to look down at the MagicPad.

After staring at the pad for a moment, I carefully lay down on the bed.

“Time to browse the forum.”

Right now, checking the community was the priority.

* * *

Time passed, and the next day arrived.

After spending all night browsing the community, my eyes felt strained.

Though as a True Ancestor who always maintains perfect physical condition, I was completely healthy.

“Sigh…”

It seems I’m in big trouble.

I had planned to bait them and wait for them to take the bait, but after tasting the community all night, I’ve reached the point where I can’t live without it.

‘It’s too… fun!!’

But what can I do when it’s so entertaining?

Just following the discussion threads or checking the remaining concept posts one by one is incredibly fun, but what if it’s all about me?

It was impossible not to get addicted.

Yes, I’ve already become addicted to the community.

‘This is… serious…’

I looked at my already trembling hands and gulped.

Now heading to the Council of Elders after being summoned, I left the pad behind thinking I shouldn’t show any weakness.

It’s only been a short while since I stopped looking, but withdrawal symptoms are already appearing, showing how deeply the community has infiltrated my mind…

But there were some benefits.

I was able to confirm the Blood Tower’s perception, the treatment I’m receiving, and why blood mages are so enthusiastically welcoming me.

The only problem is the indescribable fun that comes with it…

Since coming to this world, I never expected to be able to participate in such a raw, anonymous community, which made the shock even greater.

“This way, please.”

I followed yesterday’s guide toward the Council of Elders.

While browsing the forum, I learned about other Magic Towers. Though the community might exaggerate things, it wasn’t wrong that the Crimson Blood Magic Tower was poor.

Still, it was a Magic Tower after all, so the interior was quite magnificent and sophisticated.

Perhaps because they deal with blood, most of it had a dark, red mansion feel.

That was something I quite liked.

The more I learned about the Blood Tower, from why it was created to how much they liked me… the more I grew fond of it rather than disliking it.

Who wouldn’t like it?

My existence alone created a new field of study in the magical world, and they’ve been diligently researching, trying to imitate my Blood Claw Art to create Blood Magic.

I’m glad my efforts running around trying to defeat the Demon King weren’t in vain.

I couldn’t help but feel proud of the Blood Mages.

I chuckled and asked the man serving as my guide.

“What’s your name?”

“Y-yes?! I-I’m Jasper.”

“Hmm… Jasper… I’ll remember that. Thank you for guiding me.”

I smiled and waved my hand.

“H-huh…”

In response, Jasper placed his hand on his heart and gasped for breath as if entranced.

Well… I appreciate the admiration, but seeing him act so frantically in front of me felt strange.

‘That surprised reaction seems familiar…’

While browsing the community, I occasionally saw comments like “Nooooo~” or “No no no no no no!! Gasp… huff… gasp… cough cough…” on my photos, so seeing him gasp made me feel oddly uneasy.

Surely not?

Anyway… according to the information on the pad, once you enter a Magic Tower, you become part of it and lose your family name.

Indeed, everyone I saw had only their given name, with no family names to be found.

So much has changed in a thousand years.

I clicked my tongue inwardly as I took the elevator up.

I wondered how they would react this time.

At least the atmosphere wasn’t bad.

From what Vlad was saying in the community, I could be confident it would be a positive atmosphere.

He advertised himself as Vlad so much that it was impossible not to know.

Perhaps he never thought I would use the community.

Upon reaching the top floor and entering the council chamber, seven elders seated there welcomed me.

Among them, the Grand Elder, that is…

“Dmitri.”

I think that was his name.

When I called his name, Dmitri removed his hat and bowed his head to me.

“For you to call my name… it’s an honor, Lady Tepes.”

“…Huh?”

Suddenly?

Isn’t this very different from yesterday?

“Um… yes… why did you call me?”

“…As you said yesterday, we wish to ask again with the proper respect.”

“…”

As I looked up silently, Dmitri bowed at the waist to me.

As Dmitri bowed, all the elders bowed to me as well.

“Please, become the Master of our Crimson Blood Magic Tower. We earnestly request this.”

“We beseech you!”

When all the elders shouted after Dmitri, it echoed loudly throughout the chamber.

“Hmm…”

I grinned.

My answer was already decided.

“Very well. I, Midir Tepes, will become the Master of the Crimson Blood Magic Tower.”

Let’s give it a try.

As long as I could browse the forum, being a Tower Master was perfectly manageable.

“Long live Lady Tepes!!”

“Long live the Crimson Blood Magic Tower! Long live our Tower Master!”

The elders expressed their intense joy at my answer, embracing each other.

Seeing their joy made me happy too.

“Please cure my baldness too!!”

“Gasp!”

What.

An elder with significantly thinning hair threw off his wizard hat and shouted, causing silence to fall over the chamber.

“Hmm.”

Well, that’s not difficult.

I raised my hand.

That day, all the elders of the Crimson Blood Magic Tower successfully had their baldness cured and were rejuvenated.

It was truly a joyous occasion.