Ch.36Strong Blood Tower (Interlude)

“You said you had no money… but the magic practice room is well-made.”

As expected of a Magic Tower with concentrated technology, the magic practice room was at an impressive level.

It had self-repairing scarecrow golems and even space-distortion devices that allowed one to move around in an area larger than the actual physical space.

Usually, people would leave snacks for break times, but unfortunately, welfare wasn’t great yet, so the only thing available to drink was purified water.

I’d have to deal with these issues later.

What was more important right now than the welfare of this place was watching Irina use Blood Magic.

“W-whoa…”

One hour after teaching her how to fly.

Watching Irina briefly float in the air before falling back down, I was left speechless.

Of course, it would take a lot of time to fly quickly while maintaining balance like I did, but this technique was extremely difficult even if one could just float in the air.

In my case, I had to create the technique from scratch, which naturally made it more difficult, but even considering that, Irina’s growth rate was abnormal.

‘She managed it in just one hour…!!’

My mouth hung open in amazement.

A genius (天災).

Her talent was so extraordinary it could be called a disaster sent from heaven.

Blood Magic had no proper documentation and had to be developed from scratch, which was why she had only progressed this far. If she had been in another Magic Tower, she might have already surpassed the highest-ranking mages and become a candidate for Tower Master.

It was more accurate to say her talent had been hidden because she came to the Blood Tower.

But that was over now.

Since Blood Magic was based on Blood Claw Art, and she started learning from me who had reached the pinnacle of Blood Claw Art, Irina’s talent had completely blossomed.

The idea of creating wounds on the body and maintaining them through Blood Magic was my invention, but the fact that she immediately implemented it and continuously maintained it meant that Irina was truly extraordinary.

‘How could anyone not dote on her…!’

Even the Council of Elders showed doting tendencies when it came to Irina.

I could understand that feeling now.

What grandparent wouldn’t adore a granddaughter who was talented, affectionate, and cute!

There was still a mountain of things to teach her, and just thinking about teaching her made my mouth water.

‘This… I might be able to move up the schedule.’

If Irina could learn this quickly, it might be possible to raise the overall level much earlier than expected.

I chuckled.

* * *

“Sigh…”

In the Red Tower’s office.

A man sitting in a chair shaped like flames looked down at his pad with a troubled expression.

“How could this happen…”

At first, he thought an accident had occurred.

That was natural.

Clearly, the Aether Tower should have the Great Sage Eterna as its highest administrator, as the tower itself symbolized Eterna.

At the point where Eterna was the owner of the Aether Tower, it was only natural that she would be the highest administrator.

The man had believed this.

But this incident had changed everything.

The suddenly appearing little Tower Master of the Blood Tower not only took the position of highest administrator but also formed a personal relationship with Eterna, which filled him with intense anger.

His emotions were so strong that the surrounding air heated up, creating an updraft that made his hair and beard stand on end.

“Um, Red Tower Master…”

The mage watching from the side was having a miserable time.

The man he called the Red Tower Master had been in a bad mood recently.

While elderly mages typically occupied positions in the Council of Elders, the position of Tower Master was different.

Regardless of age, if one reached the highest magical achievement and realm suitable for the position, they could become a Tower Master.

Most often, talented individuals ascended to that position.

For an old mage, having to accommodate someone much younger might be unpleasant, but the man before him possessed the power to incinerate him in an instant.

The man who was said to call down meteors from the sky when angered.

The Great Fire Mage, Ignius.

“Don’t you think so too, Piris?”

“Y-yes… indeed it is so…”

Here we go again.

Piris sighed deeply inside while outwardly flattering and accommodating the Red Tower Master’s mood.

“This impudent brat… How could a wet-behind-the-ears kid form such a close! personal relationship with Lady Eterna!”

‘How would I know…’

Piris was at his wit’s end.

Why did he have to get caught between the power struggle of Tower Masters and end up like a shrimp between fighting whales?

As a man who had struggled as a high-ranking mage until this age due to lack of talent, all he wanted was to be left alone.

But he could understand why the Tower Master was reacting so strongly.

“Even among Tower Masters, there’s a hierarchy…”

Number 1 in power.

Number 1 in recognition.

If one decided to join a Magic Tower, the Red Tower was the best choice.

Even Piris had chosen the Red Tower because it was the best, and he had lived well there his entire life.

In reality, if asked to name the most famous and preferred tower, it would definitely be the Red Tower.

If asked which tower had the most money, one would name the Iron Tower, and if one wanted a comfortable atmosphere and enjoyable Magic Tower life without discrimination, the White Tower would be preferred.

But if asked which Magic Tower was the best overall, it would naturally be the Red Tower!

While other Magic Towers might struggle with monster subjugation, Red Tower mages could sweep them away with a single fire spell.

Naturally, the tower’s status also indicated the Tower Master’s status, and if asked to name the lowest in the hierarchy, it would undoubtedly be the Blood Tower.

But the Blood Tower was different.

They were poor, had the fewest members, received the least support, and used Blood Magic, which was considered the most ambiguous magic.

Moreover, unlike the prestigious and historically rooted Red Tower, the Blood Tower was a newly established discipline!

How dare they compare?

The Red Tower Master had reason to be angry.

“How about this suggestion?”

Piris, who had just thought of a good idea, smiled slyly.

He wanted to escape this situation quickly, and at times like this, the best approach was to make a clear proposal and slip away in the confusion.

It was a life wisdom he had acquired during his long years of survival in the Magic Tower.

Being old meant having survived…

“According to the forum posts, they’re planning to hold the Greatest Magic Tower Tournament during the season when fire spirits frolic.”

“The Greatest Magic Tower Tournament? I’ve seen it before…”

Ignius tilted his head and examined the pad.

“This Greatest Magic Tower Tournament was established by Lady Eterna, who, seeing the Magic Towers competing for hierarchy, wanted to create an opportunity. Surely all Magic Towers will try to raise their status through this tournament.”

“Yes… that’s right.”

He pondered as he read through the content and listened to Piris’s explanation.

So that means…?

“In other words, why not use this Greatest Magic Tower Tournament as an excuse to compete over which Tower Master is the strongest? Put that arrogant Blood Tower Master in his place. Using public opinion, we can pressure him so he can’t refuse, and since the Red Tower has an overwhelming advantage, the Blood Tower Master will surely suffer a humiliating defeat engulfed in our flames.”

“Oh… I see.”

Ignius chuckled.

Indeed, if he challenged him under the pretext of the Greatest Magic Tower Tournament, even the Blood Tower Master couldn’t refuse.

Considering the speech he gave last time, he must be desperate to raise the Blood Tower’s status, and refusing his duel challenge would lower the Blood Tower’s status.

Well, it couldn’t get any lower anyway.

“What do you think?”

“Hmm.”

Good.

Very good.

Others would have accepted this plan.

But…

Ignius raised his head and glanced at Piris.

Then he spoke boldly.

“However, I refuse.”

“…Pardon?”

Piris stupidly questioned.

“One of the things this Ignius enjoys most is saying ‘NO’ to subordinates who devise cowardly schemes.”

“What…”

What nonsense is this?

Before the dumbfounded Piris could respond, Ignius rose from his seat.

“Do you think I would do something that only super cowards would do? I will immediately and proudly issue a challenge to the Blood Tower Master. If he doesn’t accept… well, that can’t be helped.”

The Red Tower Master thought.

He wouldn’t refuse anyway.

He was already in the mood to burn everything and wanted to hurl a meteor at the Blood Tower, so just barging in and causing a scene was the most straightforward approach.

“I’m going to the Blood Tower for a bit!”

Watching Ignius disappear in an instant, Piris pushed up his glasses.

“He’s beyond the rumors…”

A moody person who acts on his own.

A walking disaster.

A guy who throws meteors first and asks questions later.

But always dignified and noble no matter where or when.

That’s why he’s a hateable bastard.

These were the words used to describe the Red Tower Master, Ignius.

Indeed, they were accurate.