Ch.125Retirement

In the end, I won overwhelmingly, but in my heart, I felt like I came in dead last.

I should have just let her win. I don’t know why I played the game so seriously.

“Aww, you’re so good, unni…”

“I’m sorry…”

“No! We agreed to play seriously, so you shouldn’t say that!”

When I apologized, Irina shook her head, telling me not to be sorry.

Of course, from Irina’s perspective, she wanted to beat me, but the skill gap between us was so large that I couldn’t lose to her unless I deliberately threw the game.

I could have lost moderately without her noticing, but my pride must have been scratched because I ended up playing seriously, which wasn’t like me…

Hmm…

That’s why I couldn’t help but feel sorry for Irina.

“Let’s prepare for the retirement ceremony…”

I lost track of time while enjoying the game.

Still, this brief entertainment was enough to satisfy me.

It was time to start the retirement ceremony.

After the ceremony is over, we can play as much as we want…

But now, we needed to hurry.

“Mmm…”

Irina’s reaction wasn’t particularly positive.

It felt like she had returned to reality.

‘Since things have already progressed this far…’

I patted Irina’s head.

“You’ll do well. You’re my successor who learned directly from me.”

“…Yes, I’ll do my best.”

That’s the spirit.

I smiled slightly.

While freely stroking the head of my cute disciple.

.

.

.

At that time.

The preparations for the retirement ceremony were almost complete.

“It might be inappropriate to say this when all the preparations are already done, but I wonder why she suddenly decided to retire…”

The retirement ceremony was imminent.

The moment it ended, Midir would no longer be the master of the Blood Tower.

Though it had only been a year, Midir had seemed like the eternal master of the Blood Tower where they stood. Her sudden announcement of retirement had deeply affected the hearts of the Blood Mages, whether they realized it or not.

It tormented them with the emotion of sadness.

Like sending off a former lover, they outwardly tried to celebrate her retirement and send Midir off, but inside, they couldn’t help but feel hurt.

“It’s certainly not the right time to bring this up.”

The man who heard his friend’s words lowered his head with a bitter smile.

“To be honest, I was hoping she would continue as the Blood Tower Master.”

“That’s right… I just thought she would keep going. If it weren’t for her, we would have fallen to the bottom along with the declining Blood Tower.”

They wouldn’t have been able to rise again.

It made them realize anew what an impossible feat Midir had accomplished.

A Transcendent of Blood Magic who surpassed not only all Magic Tower Masters but even Eterna, the legendary mage who founded the Magical Kingdom.

With such an amazing person as their master, they had nothing to envy in the world.

Despite it being only a year, the Blood Mages had instantly established themselves as the top tower.

It was glory they thought would continue indefinitely.

“Well, that’s asking too much…”

Of course, they knew.

Being the Blood Tower Master wasn’t an easy job, and naturally, one would get tired of it.

Especially for Midir, who had revived a tower that was originally struggling, it must have been particularly difficult.

Anyone who had worked that hard would inevitably feel exhausted.

Especially Midir, who had miraculously revived the seemingly hopeless Blood Tower.

The reason Seria, who had steadfastly maintained the Green Tower for a thousand years, was so beloved as an outstanding tower master was partly because she had firmly held the difficult position of Magic Tower Master.

What could they do?

Their benefactor, who had revived the dying Blood Tower, now wanted to retire and rest.

Though it pained their hearts.

Though they felt immense regret.

Nevertheless, knowing they had to let her go.

They decided to send her off with smiles.

Like sending off a lover with a smile.

Giving their best.

.

.

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The retirement ceremony began.

With grand trumpet sounds, they announced the splendid beginning with the Blood Magic they had honed over time.

Those watching the retirement ceremony couldn’t truly enjoy it, but they forced smiles on their faces.

It felt more like a funeral than a festival, but they wanted to end it as a celebration.

Because that was what would be best for Midir.

There was no need to drag it out.

“Lady Midir!”

“Waaaaaah!”

Finally, the current Blood Tower Master appeared on the platform.

“Good to see you all.”

It was Midir Tepes.

The Blood Mages in attendance cheered for Midir.

All eyes were focused on witnessing the final appearance of the greatest Blood Tower Master in history, whom they would no longer see in this position.

“Ah, um. I suddenly announced my retirement, so I’m truly grateful that you prepared all this. You’re trying to make it as festive as possible for me, but to be honest, my retirement can’t be a happy occasion for you all. I understand that.”

“…”

At Midir’s honest words, everyone lowered their heads.

She was right.

They couldn’t forcibly hold her back when she announced her retirement.

But continuing to be sad would only disappoint her.

Many had locked themselves in their rooms, unable to accept that the being who was practically their god was retiring from her position.

But even more wanted to avoid causing further trouble for Midir and wished to send her off happily, which is why they were able to successfully hold this retirement ceremony.

But that didn’t mean their original feelings and inner thoughts had disappeared.

Even during the retirement ceremony, they hoped she wouldn’t retire.

If she suddenly announced that she had changed her mind about retiring, they wouldn’t be angry.

They would rather be delighted.

They had set it up like a festival from the beginning.

They could simply continue it as a regular celebration.

But the answer they secretly hoped for didn’t come.

Instead, they heard something they never expected.

She understood them.

She understood their reluctance to let her go.

“I’m not retiring because it’s difficult for me. Of course, I do want to rest, but it’s not like I don’t have time to rest, and I wouldn’t call representing you all as your leader a difficult task. However…”

Midir smiled sadly.

“I want you to know that this choice is for your benefit.”

That’s what Midir thought.

She couldn’t remain the master of the Blood Tower forever.

She had become the Blood Tower Master to help her successors when they were struggling.

Now that things had stabilized, it was time for those living in this era to lead the Blood Tower.

“If I, myself, were to remain as Blood Tower Master for 10 years, no, 100 years… no, 1000 years, what would become of you all?”

Of course, if she did that, the glory of the Blood Tower would continue for a while.

But if they didn’t change, if they remained stuck in the past, they would inevitably fall behind.

Midir was clearly a figure from a past generation.

She wasn’t a person living in this era.

Everyone became solemn at her words.

They knew it too.

The Blood Tower was abnormal.

It was operating solely around the existence of the Blood Tower Master.

That’s why Midir wanted to restore their autonomy before it became irreversible.

So that it could be a Blood Tower for all Blood Mages, not just for the Blood Tower Master.

“I don’t want to see successors who are complacent with my existence as Blood Tower Master and only seek me out.”

Growth must not stop.

Chasing past glory is futile.

As long as she remained as Blood Tower Master, the Blood Mages of the Blood Tower were no different from chicks living under the protection of a mother bird.

Protecting and caring for the chicks so they don’t die is necessary, but it shouldn’t become overprotection.

Eventually, that child would grow up only to seek out the mother bird that had protected it.

Midir didn’t want to see the Blood Magic Tower become like that.

“I want to see you all fly higher after leaving my embrace. I want to see you maintain the glory of being the best Magic Tower in the Magical Kingdom, even without me.”

She wanted to watch the Blood Tower maintain its position as the best, even without a Transcendent like herself.

“Give your all in everything. Don’t be intimidated by the past; stand tall and live proudly. This is my final wish for you all. Don’t worry. I’m not disappearing. I’ll continue watching over you from behind.”

They will definitely move forward.

This tower has endured for hundreds of years, even without her.

Use the foundation I’ve laid as a stepping stone to advance.

“You all… are more than qualified to do so!”

“Waaaaaah!”

“Thank you, Lady Midir!!”

“We owe you so much!”

With Midir’s final cry, all the Blood Mages cheered.

The greatest Blood Tower Master in history.

The benefactor of the Blood Mages.

The strongest Blood Mage.

Thus ended the era of the Blood Tower Master who had performed the miracle of reviving the Blood Tower in just one year.