Ch.57The Greatest Magic Tower Tournament (5)

As the tournament was about to begin, leaving only questions about what had actually happened, I found myself in an awkward position. Because Eterna had called for me separately, I had to follow her alone while all the other Magic Tower Lords returned to their original seats.

Only after we moved to a place where no one was watching us did I call out to her.

“Why don’t you at least tell me why you called me here?”

Unable to express my irritation outright, I asked with a hint of dissatisfaction. Eterna turned her head slightly to look at me.

“Big sis.”

“…What did you say?”

“We agreed that I’d call you big sis, didn’t we?”

As Eterna said this with a slight smile, I gave her a dumbfounded look.

‘Well, that’s technically true…’

Of course, I had said something like that before we parted last time.

She had said she would give me money if I called her “big sis.”

“That was just supposed to be for that one time…”

“Where did we say that?”

Eterna asked with a displeased tone.

“…”

I pressed my lips tightly together.

I couldn’t believe it. Was she really making this argument because we hadn’t specified an end date?

“That’s…”

I had nothing to say.

If she wanted to play it that way, she wasn’t technically wrong.

Eterna had clearly promised to give me money if I called her “big sis” and acted cute toward her, and I had agreed to it.

“My little sister knows better, right?”

Eterna asked with a chuckle.

I gritted my teeth in response.

Why was this woman so desperate to torment me?

As much as I wanted to argue with her right then and there, I couldn’t talk back when my financial backer was speaking like this.

It’s always the one without money who suffers.

“…Big sis.”

“Where’s the aegyo?”

“Please spare me that…”

Please, I’m begging you…

Even though there was supposedly no one around—no, that’s not right, someone might be secretly watching—calling her “big sis” was already a risky move. Adding aegyo on top of that was something my pride wouldn’t allow.

Back then, I only accepted it because the capital pressure weighing on me was greater than my pride.

Right now, I wasn’t being crushed by capital, so I could confidently refuse.

Well, not that confidently.

“Hmm…”

Eterna looked at me as if I were cute, then smiled.

“Alright, I’ll let it slide this time.”

“Th-thank you so much…”

I said through gritted teeth, but Eterna continued to look at me with that same expression before turning away.

“See you later.”

With just those words, she vanished from the spot.

After confirming that Eterna had disappeared, I let out a deep sigh.

‘She’s difficult to deal with…’

Unlike others who found her intimidating because of how extraordinary she was, I found her burdensome in a different way.

Every time we meet, I seriously wonder what goes through that woman’s mind.

“This won’t do.”

I can’t just keep letting her have her way.

Right now, I’m supporting the Blood Tower like a young head of household, so I have no choice but to put up with this.

Once I succeed with the hair loss treatment, I’ll make a fortune and become a strong Blood Tower Lord who’s no longer at the mercy of capital.

Somehow, saying it like this makes me think of something red, but that must be my imagination.

* * *

At that time.

As the Greatest Magic Tower Tournament began, many people dispersed to see whatever they wanted to see.

The first day of the tournament typically consisted of light competitive games meant for enjoyment rather than serious competition.

The first day was a tournament in name only—it was essentially a festival.

Throughout the vast grounds of the Aether Tower, various stalls were set up selling delicious foods, and those who had researched special magic appeared in performance venues to showcase their spells.

The most popular performances were undoubtedly the spectacular fireworks magic displayed by those specializing in flame magic.

“So flame magic can be used like that too…”

“Fire is just so beautiful… No magic can beat flame magic, seriously.”

“What, you Average Red scum.”

Most people took pride in being mages of the Red Tower, but there were quite a few whose obsession with flame magic bordered on mental illness.

This was despite the fact that performances with growing plants and mechanical shows by scholars from the Iron Tower were also quite popular.

These various performance venues attracted large crowds.

“This is really… amazing…”

“Yes, yes!”

When Razak muttered those words while looking around, Irina nodded vigorously.

“Is it that amazing to you?”

I don’t really see what’s so special.

Since coming to this world, I hadn’t been to any festivals like this, so seeing all this was indeed interesting, but not enough to warrant such an extreme reaction.

Perhaps it’s because I still have memories from my previous life, when I saw even more impressive things.

The culture was more developed back then.

“I heard the Iron Tower provided a lot of help for this festival. They really are impressive.”

“The Iron Tower… isn’t that where those engineering experts specializing in magical engineering are?”

“They’re a bit different from what you’d call mages, but since their foundation is magic, they were able to join as a Magic Tower. They’re considered somewhat different, so other towers find them difficult to approach…”

Razak said with a subtle smile.

“But when it comes to culture, there’s no place more impressive than the Iron Tower.”

“Ah…”

I suddenly thought about the Iron Tower Lord.

Suspiciously suspicious… what did they call people like that in my time? Nerds? Losers? Otaku? Something like that. But maybe it wasn’t his nature—perhaps the Iron Tower Lord acted that way because that’s just how the Iron Tower is?

‘Not easy…’

I swallowed hard.

I’d found a place that interested me.

The Iron Tower… I should definitely visit it later…

“By the way…”

There seem to be quite a lot of people enjoying the games.

The problem was that these weren’t normal games.

For example:

“You can put out fire with fire?”

“This game seems wrong…”

A record-setting game that only Red Magic mages could participate in.

It was a simple game where you just had to extinguish rising flames by any means, but it was surprisingly challenging for Red Magic mages.

For them, fire was flame, firepower, and a research subject they strived to make bigger and stronger—they couldn’t understand why a game about extinguishing it was designated specifically for them.

Red Magic mages, whose job was to ignite fires, couldn’t comprehend why they were playing a game about extinguishing them, but that’s what made it more fun.

For example, what would a Blue Tower mage do if asked to extinguish a fire?

They would confidently cast a water spell and put it out.

But if those who directly manipulate flames were told to extinguish those flames, and to do so using magic directly, who could actually accomplish it?

A game using reverse thinking.

Not bad.

“Razak, what do you think?”

“Pardon? What do you mean?”

Razak tilted his head at my question.

“Aren’t you curious about what games the Blood Tower has prepared?”

I’m curious too.

I’m sorry to say, but I only provided the capital—my subordinates handled most of the work.

Even for this Greatest Magic Tower Tournament, Eterna and I only established the basic framework, while everyone else took care of scheduling, deciding on games, contracting with vendors, and so on… They handled everything themselves.

Even I did nothing and just stood by, yet the event was successfully organized.

I think doing nothing and standing idle here would be disrespecting the dedication of those who prepared everything.

Especially since I was the one who brought up this tournament in the first place.

‘Still, it’s impressive…’

Although they weren’t given much time, this event came together suddenly with significant support, so it might not have been that difficult, but it must have been challenging nonetheless.

Especially the administrative staff who probably had to work without days off.

I should arrange special bonuses for those who worked hard on this tournament…

“Ahem…”

So the least I can do is enjoy what my subordinates have prepared to the fullest.

I’m looking forward to it.

“I’m curious about the games the Blood Tower has prepared. Would you guide me there?”

“Yes, yes! Of course!”

Razak’s expression was somehow strange.

Does he know what kind of game it is?

“Do you happen to know about it?”

“Ah, no. I haven’t been there myself… Haha…”

Then why make that expression?

I tilted my head in confusion but soon dismissed it.

Well, these things happen, I thought as I let it go.