Ch.122Retirement Ceremony (4)

I’ve prepared the dress for my retirement ceremony.

All that remained was preparing the content of the speech I wanted to give at the retirement ceremony.

A speech preparation…

‘What a hassle…’

Although I managed to deliver speeches well before, I wasn’t confident I could pull it off again without preparation.

For the sake of the Blood Mages who were doing their best to prepare for me, I felt I should properly prepare and face them.

That would make it a perfect retirement ceremony, wouldn’t it?

“A speech…”

To be honest, I’ve never properly given a speech until now.

Even thinking back to the last one I gave, I’m not really sure how I did it…

Back then, I was kind of high on something… or maybe caught up in the atmosphere…

Looking back at the content of that speech now, there were parts that made me feel embarrassed.

But what’s done is done, and there’s no point feeling embarrassed about it now.

Surprisingly, the Blood Mages seemed to have similar tastes to mine, as they took my speech to heart and liked it, so that’s what matters.

Let me think about what story to start with.

As I lay on the bed and started contemplating, I closed my eyes before even five minutes had passed.

After sleeping for about ten minutes, I suddenly opened my eyes and blinked while staring blankly at the ceiling.

‘I shouldn’t think while lying down…’

Daytime is when I’m supposed to be sleeping.

Even though I had become a Transcendent, my species hadn’t fundamentally changed, so this was still when I felt most sleepy.

I got up from the bed and shuffled over to the desk to sit down.

Sitting there, I tried to think again, but no good ideas came to mind.

‘Was it always this difficult…?’

If I’m going to give a speech, I want it to be something amazing that would move the Blood Mages, but when I actually think about it, not much comes to mind…

‘If it’s going to be moving content, I need to pinpoint something that can definitely touch their emotions…’

After pondering for a moment, I recalled how I gave my speech back then.

It was much easier to move people’s hearts at that time.

The Blood Tower was definitely in a difficult situation, and I was in a position that was no different from a savior to them.

So touching those emotions was extremely easy.

All I had to do was remind them of all the oppression and insults they had endured, heighten their emotions, and then charismatically declare that I would solve everything.

But now those emotions have all cooled down, so how can I pinpoint and bring out those feelings?

People who have given many speeches might instinctively understand what topics would capture people’s attention, but I can’t do that.

“Should I seek help?”

Is it a coincidence that there’s not a single person around me who has experience giving speeches?

No, maybe preparing a speech itself is the wrong approach?

Thinking about it, that’s right.

The Blood Mages genuinely like me, and they’re just doing their best to prepare for my departure.

Do I really need to match that by preparing a speech to the best of my ability?

‘Maybe I was overthinking it.’

If my children sincerely approach me, I should respond with equal sincerity.

And I think the best way to express that sincerity is to prepare my heart, step up confidently, and speak what comes to mind in the moment.

Unfiltered thoughts straight from my mind.

Wouldn’t that be more romantic?

Having rationalized it that way, I threw away the paper and flopped onto the bed.

“I feel dizzy…”

At first, I was filled with the desire to retire, but now that retirement is approaching, I’m wondering why I wanted to in the first place.

Actually, I wouldn’t have minded continuing as the Blood Magic Tower Master.

It’s true that Irina is still young, and there’s still a lot I could do for the Blood Tower.

But if Blood Mages perceive me this way after just one year as Tower Master, what would happen if I continued in this position for longer?

Going forward… they would compare all future Blood Tower Masters to me.

As I said before, I became the Tower Master because I felt sorry for the collapsing Blood Tower, not because I intended to take responsibility from beginning to end.

Once it can be maintained without my help, there’s no reason for me to remain as Tower Master.

That’s why I’m retiring and handing over to Irina, who was originally designated to become the Tower Master.

‘The retirement ceremony… I’m actually looking forward to it.’

This is the first time such a grand event is being held for me.

You might say I received a welcome ceremony from countless people when I returned after defeating the Demon King, but I was so shocked about not being able to return home that I shut myself in my house.

Naturally, I didn’t participate in such events.

‘They say you can’t sleep when you’re excited, and that’s exactly what’s happening…’

I’m lying in bed but can’t fall asleep.

I tossed and turned, closing my eyes while wondering how the retirement ceremony would unfold.

.

.

.

And so time passed and passed…

Before I knew it, the day of the retirement ceremony had arrived.

Since it was both my retirement ceremony and Irina’s inauguration ceremony as the new Tower Master, it was no exaggeration to say it was the largest event in Blood Tower history.

“Finally…”

Even now, I wonder if I’m really retiring.

They call it retirement, but I’ll just be holed up in my room and teaching Irina when she doesn’t know something—can that really be called retirement?

I couldn’t help but think that way.

As I mentioned earlier, I’m just disappearing from public activities.

But I am stepping down from the representative position, so that’s enough.

From now on, this is a Magic Tower that should be led directly by the current generation.

It’s enough for me to support from behind to ensure this tower continues toward a bright future.

As I was staring blankly out the window, lost in thought, a message came on my MagicPad.

[Yaraehyang: Today’s your retirement? Congrats]

As expected, it was a message from Seria.

Looking closely, not only Seria but other Magic Tower Masters had also contacted me about the retirement ceremony.

I replied to Seria first.

[SuperGeniusTruePrettyBloodMage: Weren’t you coming to see it?]

[Yaraehyang: I was planning to, but I don’t think I can… Why? Are you disappointed?]

[SuperGeniusTruePrettyBloodMage: Not really, I don’t particularly care]

[Yaraehyang: At times like this, shouldn’t you at least pretend to be disappointed?]

[SuperGeniusTruePrettyBloodMage: Oh wow I’m so disappointed]

[Yaraehyang: There’s no sincerity in that]

[SuperGeniusTruePrettyBloodMage: I’m disappointed…]

[Yaraehyang: You’re really too much]

Maybe I teased her too much.

I chuckled.

I was genuinely disappointed that she couldn’t come.

Well, we can meet separately later.

After replying to the other Magic Tower Masters, I started preparing to get dressed.

Looking out the window, it seemed the event had already begun.

At times like this, shouldn’t I enjoy myself?

But…

‘Is no one coming to get me?’

Maybe they’re busy with work.

“Razak, are you there?”

“…I’m waiting outside the door.”

“If you’re there, why don’t you say something instead of just waiting quietly?”

I didn’t order him to wait silently, so why is he making things difficult for himself?

At my words, Razak nodded vigorously with a genuinely sympathetic expression, as if he completely understood.

I meant it out of disbelief, but somehow it seemed like I’d said something Razak could relate to.

“You understand…”

“No…”

Actually, I didn’t understand what he meant at all.

I thought he was hiding somewhere since he usually appeared promptly when called, but was he just waiting outside the door all the time?

“Ah, that’s not it… If I had to stand continuously, I would have left long ago…”

“Hmm.”

Oh, I see.

Well, even as a secretary, he would have gone somewhere if he had work to do.

But it seems he was mostly waiting around my room whenever I was in the Blood Tower.

I felt somewhat sorry.

“I’m sorry for not realizing…”

“No… it’s the Council of Elders’ orders, what can I do…”

“…”

I hadn’t given it much thought until now, but I decided to give him more freedom from now on.

If something comes up, I’ll call him on the MagicPad, and he just needs to come running when he gets a message.

“Shall we depart now?”

“Is Irina ready?”

“Miss Irina is still sleeping.”

Ah, she’s still sleeping?

Well, it’s still sleeping time for a child.

Pleased at the thought of surprising Irina, I said with a chuckle:

“Let’s go wake her up.”

“Yes.”

The plan is to leisurely enjoy the event venue and then complete the retirement and inauguration ceremony.

Having organized my future tasks, I hummed a tune as I made my way to Irina’s room.

This is truly a day to look forward to.