Ch.48A Big One’s Coming (4)

I decided to take on the role of teaching directly, so I expected many people would gather, but…

‘I’m glad so many people are showing interest.’

Well, it would be stranger if people didn’t flock to a lecture taught directly by a Magic Tower Lord.

Still, if this had been my image from a short while ago, I probably wouldn’t have received such a positive response from Blood Mages even after announcing a lecture. So the current atmosphere was fortunate.

It meant my tarnished image had improved somewhat.

They were at least willing to treat me as a Magic Tower Lord, even if reluctantly.

‘So…’

All the more reason I needed to use this opportunity to completely transform my image.

Already, thanks to the CCTV footage of me toying with Ignius, I was receiving positive responses from Blood Mages.

If I could successfully perform Blood Strengthening Art on Blood Mages and then teach the basics of Blood Magic well…

‘The Blood Mages will surely compete to practice what I’ve taught them.’

Everything I’m teaching this time is perfectly suited for use in the Greatest Magic Tower Tournament.

Anyway…

Today’s lecture was going to be longer than originally planned.

I had initially posted this as a way to test the waters, planning to take questions and answer them during the lecture. But even though Blood Mages were the smallest in number among all mages, there were still far too many participants in this lecture.

It would be impossible to answer all their questions due to time constraints, so I had posted that we would skip the Q&A.

“Your time is valuable too, so I was planning to start the lecture without delay, but…”

There was a reason I acted this way.

I thought public opinion wouldn’t be entirely positive about a Q&A session with the Magic Tower Lord.

More specifically, I thought people would be too intimidated to ask proper questions.

The perception of a Magic Tower Lord tends to be someone unapproachable and lofty, so I assumed that would be the case… but…

How should I put this…

[I’m sure she’ll take questions during the lecture~]

[I’ve had so many things I wanted to ask, so I’m really looking forward to this lecture…]

[Is there any other Magic Tower where you can directly face the Tower Lord like this? Our Blood Tower is truly legendary…]

Instead, more people seemed disappointed that I wouldn’t be taking questions.

Some were even subtly expressing their desire for a Q&A session.

Anyway, they flooded the forum with posts hoping I would take questions, and those posts received so much support that they became trending topics.

‘Sigh…’

When public opinion is so strong that it fills multiple pages, I couldn’t refuse to take questions.

Eventually, I posted a notice stating that I had decided to take questions briefly, and naturally, the task of filtering through all those questions fell to the Council of Elders.

At first, they gave me questioning looks, wondering why I was assigning them such a task.

They don’t have much to do anyway, so they might as well do this.

They must have done a decent job filtering, because now I was holding a paper with only the carefully selected questions.

After looking down at the paper for a moment, I raised my head and made eye contact with the Blood Mages.

“Hmm.”

Everyone seemed to be waiting for me to answer their questions.

Are they that curious about me?

‘Well, this is…’

I smiled slightly.

Then, pulling the paper toward me, I said:

“It seems many of you are curious about me, so I’ve decided to take questions. You all checked the notice, right?”

I was a bit worried whether they had seen the updated notice, but…

‘Well, it should be fine.’

Those who weren’t interested in me wouldn’t think to ask questions anyway, and those who were interested would have checked the updated notice.

“Then… I’ll start answering your questions.”

I wonder what kind of questions they’ve sent.

Thinking they would be rather trivial questions, I opened the paper and smiled.

– I would like to know why Midir wanted to come to the Blood Tower.

“Hmm… the first question is about why I wanted to join this Blood Tower.”

Such low confidence showing from the very first question…

‘They must have had a really hard time.’

I know.

All the Blood Mages present here have gone through such difficult times that it’s surprising they’re still at this tower.

Although it wasn’t my intention, after finishing that speech that ignited everyone’s hearts, I did nothing for a month, which must have been even more devastating.

I’m acting like it was nothing, but even I think what I did was crazy.

Since I haven’t properly apologized for that incident, I should take this opportunity to do so.

“Before answering this question, I need to apologize to all of you.”

“…”

At my words, the audience tilted their heads in confusion.

Regardless, I continued with what I needed to say.

“Although it was for the sake of the Blood Tower, I failed to realize that giving such a speech and then doing nothing for a month could cause great distress to all of you.”

After finishing those words, I bowed my head deeply.

“?!”

“Midir?!”

“W-what…?!”

When I bowed my head, the audience was shocked, and the elders watching from the side exclaimed my name in astonishment.

A Magic Tower Lord personally bowing to the mages under her command.

At first glance, some might be angry that someone of my position was showing such an inappropriate gesture, but that’s precisely why it was necessary.

No matter how high a position I hold, clearly acknowledging my mistakes is the best way to earn the trust of those who follow me.

At least I believe that the position of Magic Tower Lord shouldn’t be just about ruling over others.

As the vanguard of each school of magic, if we just rule, we’re no different from mere leaders.

We are not just leaders.

“I sincerely apologize. This won’t happen again.”

“M-Midir!”

“Please raise your head!”

The other Blood Mages in their seats all clamored for me to raise my head.

Only then did I lift my head again to face everyone.

Most looked as if their souls had left their bodies at the sight of me bowing.

“Ahem…”

Feeling somewhat embarrassed, I cleared my throat with a slightly reddened face and continued with my answer to the question.

“To answer your question… Yes, as I mentioned in my speech, I am Count Vladimir’s successor.”

To be precise, I am him.

But that wasn’t something that needed to be known by the general public.

It wouldn’t be pleasant to cause a commotion by revealing that a hero from the past was actually still alive.

“I couldn’t stand by and watch those who inherited his magic being disrespected, so I took the position of Blood Tower Lord.”

I said this with a light laugh, looking around meaningfully as if to say, “So do well while I’m here.”

“O-oh…”

Eck.

“Ohhh!”

“Long live the Blood Tower Lord!”

“Long live Midir!!”

“Kyaaaa!”

“…”

Wait, I didn’t tell them to cheer.

But when a few people started, those behind them joined in, and soon all thousands of people seated in the magic practice hall were cheering in unison, making an incredibly loud noise.

Feeling awkward, I pretended to check the next question on the paper, ignoring those cheering for me.

“Midir is so cute~!!!”

“Midir is so pretty!!!”

“So cool~!!”

I wish they’d refrain from such formulaic compliments.

They could at least try to compliment me in a fresh way, but it’s just “cute,” “pretty,” “cool” – that’s all.

Still, I could feel their sincerity, so I wasn’t in a bad mood. I continued clearing my throat and shifted my gaze back to the paper.

“The next question is…”

Let’s see…

Having finished answering the first question, I judged it best to move on to the next one immediately.

At this rate, we might spend all our time on Q&A, so I wanted to finish quickly and get to the main lecture.

However,

“…?”

The moment I checked the content of the next question, I froze on the spot.

“Uh…”

Despite not sweating unless I deliberately tried to after becoming a True Ancestor, cold sweat trickled down my face at this difficult question.

– How old are you, Midir?

It was a question about my age.

‘Who wrote this…?’

I clenched my fist so tightly the paper nearly crumpled.

Whoever it was, I silently vowed to bonk them on the head with a squeaky hammer if I ever found out.