Chapter 114: The Gathering of Puppet Masters (1/2)

After parting ways with Tiena, I was on my way to the city.

I gazed at Zero, writhing atop the turtle’s head.

The creature was moving the dozens of tendrils attached to its body, carving out a doll.

It was shaped very much like itself.

That was the assignment this time—creating a doll in one’s own likeness.

Yet, it was still lost, unable to grasp the task.

Of course, I had passed it naturally, almost without realizing it.

Leaning back, I felt a fresh scent wafting from behind.

It was the turtle’s sprout, naturally casting a shade over my head.

For this assignment, I had submitted the turtle on the spot.

Professor On had approved it effortlessly, as if he had expected it.

It meant I had managed to bypass a part of his curriculum.

Satisfaction welled up in my chest.

Just then, someone lightly tapped my shoulder.

Turning my head slightly, I saw Mira.

She leaned against me a little, smiling.

Then, in a light tone, she spoke.

“A gathering of puppet masters… I wonder what kind of spectacle it will be. Surely, they won’t all be like you, Evron?”

Mira narrowed her eyes playfully as she said this.

Like me—’what did she mean by that? She didn’t seem inclined to explain.’

I scratched my cheek lightly and shook my head.

“As Tiena said, it’s best not to get your hopes up too much.”

“Why not?”

Mira tilted her head in curiosity.

Meeting her gaze, I thought of the city we were headed to, and within it, Mauro’s doll shop nestled in a quiet corner.

“It’s a matter of scale.”

The city was overflowing with organizations.

Groups formed everywhere, drawn together by the pursuit of profit.

They sprouted like weeds and disappeared just as quickly.

Among them, the Puppet Association led by Professor On was as small in influence and membership as its humble shop location suggested.

All it had was a long history and a shared devotion to puppetry.

That was precisely why I had joined them.

So, as Tiena had said, it was best not to expect too much.

Mira, watching my expression, chuckled mischievously.

“But despite what you’re saying, Evron, I can see the excitement written all over your face. You might want to hide it a little better.”

“Ahem, was I really that obvious?”

I touched my face absentmindedly.

Indeed, my fingertips sensed a faint smile.

Just as Mira had said, I seemed quite interested in this gathering.

But it was only natural.

This would be my first proper meeting with other puppet masters.

Of course, I had encountered many before.

There were even those who attended the same lectures as me.

But they all saw each other as rivals, making meaningful conversation difficult.

The fourth lecture had already ended, yet I hadn’t even exchanged proper introductions with most of them.

I had been too busy managing Professor Irien’s tower, and whenever class ended, I was promptly sent outside.

So, apart from Mauro, this was my first real opportunity to engage with other puppet masters—to gather with them formally.

A meeting, huh… I had heard about such things from other students.

Those affiliated with organizations often held them, each group with its own distinct customs and styles.

‘Then what would a puppet masters’ gathering be like?’ With that curiosity in mind, I continued toward the city—where Mauro awaited.

***

“I see. In that case, I should satisfy your curiosity quickly,” Mauro said with a nod.

I cleared my throat softly and glanced around.

We were in a room filled with dolls, each intricately carved with remarkable detail.

As I admired them briefly, I stole a glance at Mira sitting beside me.

She met my eyes with a knowing smile, a hint of mischief flickering in her gaze.

She must have told Mauro about my curiosity.

The two of them chuckled at my expense, making me sigh.

If I left them to it, they would keep teasing me.

“Enough joking around. Here, take this. Tiena asked me to deliver it to you.”

I pulled an envelope from my coat and handed it over.

Mauro accepted it, breaking the small seal with a flick of his fingers.

He retrieved a few sheets of paper from inside and began reading them slowly.

“Hmm, I see,” he muttered, nodding lightly.

After placing the papers back into the envelope, he stroked his beard, sinking into thought.

Soon, his eyes refocused.

“I had planned to take my time and let your curiosity build, but it seems we need to move quickly.”

Mauro chuckled heartily and rose from his seat.

He looked at me with a wrinkled yet mischievous smile.

“I need to share this news with the others as soon as possible. What a shame. The protagonist is supposed to make their entrance at the very end, after all.”

“‘Protagonist’? Hardly,” I replied with a dry smile, shaking my head.

Rising to follow him, I wondered what the letter contained.

It seemed to be an important message.

Sensing my curiosity, Mauro lightly patted my shoulder.

“You’ll find out soon enough when we get there. Now, let’s be on our way.”

With that, Mauro began preparing to leave.

He pulled out a staff from somewhere, tapped it lightly against the ground, and started walking.

His steps, unhurried yet purposeful, led us toward the city center.

‘Were we holding the gathering in the city?’ It made sense—cities were ideal places for mages to convene.

Other organizations held their meetings in cities, so ours likely would as well.

But then, defying my expectations, Mauro headed for the docks.

He was leading us outside the city.

He glanced back at us before lifting himself into the air.

Seeing this, I nodded.

So, the gathering would take place beyond the city.

It was foolish to assume meetings had to be held in urban settings.

And this was a gathering of puppet masters.

A city would surely be too cramped.

Following Mauro, we left the city and made our way to a small nearby mountain.

Upon reaching its midsection, Mauro turned to us with a smile.

“This is the place.”

I blinked and glanced around.

Only a few scattered rocks lay nearby.

There was no visible entrance.

“Here…?” I asked.

“That’s right. You have your card, don’t you?”

Mauro pulled out a card from his coat—one marked with the word “On.”

I nodded.

He had told me to bring mine as well, so I had it ready.

Fingering the card in my pocket, I watched as Mauro stepped between the rocks and placed his card on the ground.

The magic inscribed on it seeped into the earth.

After a brief pause, Mauro picked up his card again.

The ground where it had lain shifted, revealing a narrow passage just wide enough for a person to squeeze through.

Without hesitation, Mauro slipped inside.

As he did, the entrance vanished seamlessly.

‘Had I not seen him enter, I wouldn’t have known it was ever there.’

“I wasn’t expecting a place like this,” Mira murmured.

I agreed silently, still staring at the spot where Mauro had disappeared.

Then, the soil stirred again, reopening the passage.

“Come on in. Everyone is waiting for you,” Mauro called, peeking out.

With a sigh, I followed him into the passage.

A damp, earthy scent filled my nostrils.

“Mehh,” my turtle let out a small cry, retreating deeper into my pocket.

It didn’t seem fond of this place.

“Watch your step,” Mauro cautioned, tapping the ground with his staff.

“Sometimes the floor gives way.”

He moved forward with ease, familiar with the tunnel despite the hunched posture it required.

As we followed him, the tunnel grew darker and more humid.

The stagnant air thickened with a musty scent.

I glanced at Mira.

Her lips jutted out slightly in a pout.

Drawing a small spell, I cast an environmental adjustment spell—a favorite of mine from the tome Professor Irien had gifted me upon admission.

“Ah, thank you. You really are the best, Evron,” Mira said, smiling as she leaned against me.

Mauro, observing this, chuckled.

“A useful spell. You know, everyone makes the same face when they first come here. It’s been so long since we had newcomers—I forgot to prepare.”

“Shall I cast it on you as well?” I offered.

Mauro shook his head.

“No need. We’re almost there.”

As he said, the tunnel soon widened.

Now, we could walk upright.

The ground beneath us felt more even, though still unmistakably part of a cave.

At last, we entered a vast underground chamber.

The tunnel ended here.

This was the heart of the cavern.

Darkness loomed heavily in the vast space.

But within it, I sensed flickers of magic—likely other mages who had arrived ahead of us.

“Why are you all sitting in the dark? Show your faces,” Mauro said, raising his hand.

Magic flowed from his palm, forming a light that illuminated the chamber’s ceiling.

The shadows began to recede.

In the light, several magicians became visible.

They were dressed in tattered robes.

Standing beside them, leaning against the wall, were humanoid figures shimmering with magical energy.

Mauro lightly waved his hand at them.

“You all arrived early. Dagon, I didn’t expect you to come today. Miss Amelia, the same goes for you. It looks like everyone was eagerly anticipating the newcomer!”

With that, Mauro approached them naturally and began to converse without hesitation.

I followed behind him, offering a light greeting to the group.

My face carried a bright, cheerful smile.

“Nice to meet you.”

They flinched slightly before nodding in response.

It felt as though they were wary of me.

Taking a step closer, I observed their reactions.

At that, they hesitated and stepped back.

When I met their eyes, they quickly averted their gaze.

‘What’s going on? Why are they reacting like this?’

“Well, we can talk later. For now, I’ll give this friend here a proper introduction to the place.”

Mauro smoothly intervened between me and them, speaking in a calm voice.

The magicians nodded in agreement, and with that, we began walking deeper into the cavern, leaving them behind.

***

“It’s probably because of the lady beside you,” Mauro whispered to me with a chuckle.

‘Mira?’ I glanced at her.

She had her power suppressed within, so only the faint magical presence of an ordinary doll emanated from her.

That alone shouldn’t have been enough to make them wary of her.

‘Then what was it?’

I realized the answer the moment Mira moved slightly.

A strong scent of roses brushed past my nose.

It was coming from Mira.

By now, I was completely used to it, but the scent carried traces of enchantment magic.

Mira turned to look at the magicians.

Taking a step toward them, her fragrance intensified.

At that, the magicians hurriedly fled.

“These people are amusing. Their reactions are so fresh and honest. They have such pure scents,” Mira said with a light laugh, gazing at the doll magicians.

The magicians, wary of her, backed away to the corners of the cavern and crouched down.

Mauro, too, burst into hearty laughter.

He patted my shoulder and nodded knowingly.

“In our circle, dolls are synonymous with doll magicians. So when the lady released her scent, they panicked a little. That’s why they ran away.”

“Oh my, is that so? I didn’t mean to cause a misunderstanding,” Mira said, covering her mouth as she chuckled.

Mauro laughed as well.

I, on the other hand, couldn’t bring myself to join in.

‘So that’s why they avoided my gaze? Because they thought I was seducing them?’

“Well, it’s partly because they only deal with dolls and have no social skills,” Mauro added.

“They’ll realize soon enough that it was just a misunderstanding, so don’t worry about it.”

I let out a bitter chuckle.

First impressions were crucial in any meeting, yet I had already ruined mine.

I had to clear up this misunderstanding as soon as possible.