Chapter 117: The Chancellor’s Summons

As I opened the tower’s door and stepped inside, the stars shimmering on the shadow tree sensed my presence and emitted light.

I smiled quietly at the sensation that filled my chest.

This was everything I had built up until now.

At that moment, the air before me rippled faintly.

Within that distortion, a figure slowly began to take shape—a girl with striking amethyst-colored hair and eyes, as if she were crafted from gemstones.

It was Hari.

Her star, too, gleamed faintly within my shadow tree.

She inclined her head slightly toward me, her expression looking rather tired.

“Is something wrong?”

I asked her.

‘If she had revealed herself like this, it meant she had something to say.’

She summoned a translucent screen in front of her—the display of the mirror bug I had gifted her before.

She manipulated something on it, then let out a small sigh.

A faint pulse of intent reached me—a subtle complaint, as if to say she had been through a lot.

At the same time, my own mirror bug vibrated softly.

It quickly rose into the air before me and displayed its screen.

The story Hari wanted to share with me was recorded within.

As I read through it slowly, I nodded.

The fatigue on her face made perfect sense now.

The text detailed Hao’s movements during the time we had been away from the tower.

“Oh dear, that boy… to be drawn to treasures like this. You must have had a tough time, Hari.”

Mira, who was reading beside me, chuckled softly, her eyes glimmering with amusement.

Normally, the requests that treasures made to Hao followed a certain set of rules.

They couldn’t inflict too much harm on him, nor could they bring significant damage to the tower.

But the requests stored in the mirror bug had long since crossed that line.

Some had even demanded Hao’s limbs as offerings.

The one who made that request was Blood Axe.

It seemed the treasures had taken advantage of our absence to indulge their desires to the fullest.

Their demands had grown even stranger and more grotesque than before.

I clicked my tongue.

This was why one always had to be cautious when dealing with treasures.

Their way of thinking was fundamentally different from humans.

Once they fixated on something, they became completely absorbed, digging into it with single-minded obsession.

And right now, what held their interest was Hao.

That was precisely why he was the first thing I had planned to check on upon returning to the tower.

There was no telling what kind of trouble he might have gotten into under the influence of the treasures.

And, as expected, he did not disappoint me.

While I was away, he had run amok with unrestrained enthusiasm.

Just as Hari had shown, he had been roaming the tower day after day, fulfilling the treasures’ requests.

‘Had these incidents continued unchecked, new rules might have formed within the tower.’

I glanced at Hari.

Fortunately, she had detected the problem in advance and intervened in many cases.

She had spent the past week doing her utmost to keep Hao in check.

I nodded at her in acknowledgment.

It seemed I had made the right decision in giving her the mirror bug.

Hari lifted her head slightly, looking pleased with herself.

‘Had she drained enough of Hao’s energy to grow more accustomed to displaying emotions? Her expression felt much more natural now.’

I reached out and gently patted her head.

I hadn’t expected an entire week to pass without any incidents.

The glowing halo above her head hummed softly in response.

I took a moment to look her over.

She was completely different from when she was first created.

By now, she was reliable enough.

She had both the strength and the awareness to take on more responsibility.

That meant I could entrust her with an even greater task.

“From now on, I’m putting you in charge of managing the tower. While I’m away, the dolls remaining here will follow your orders. Work together with Zero to keep things in order.”

I spoke gently to Hari.

If she commanded the dolls, it would make it much easier to keep Hao in check.

Hari seemed to consider it for a moment before nodding.

Zero rose from within my shadow and met her gaze.

The two of them stepped forward, grasping each other’s hands in a firm handshake.

Watching them, I smiled in satisfaction.

With the two of them here, I had nothing to worry about.

Just as the professor had entrusted me with the tower, I, too, could now share my burden with them.

They exchanged silent intent and began conversing.

I watched them for a moment before turning my gaze to Mira.

She must have felt my eyes on her because she met my gaze.

“Will you go ahead first? I should probably greet Professor Irien before anything else.”

I said to her.

The professor surely already knew I had returned.

But it was only proper to greet her in person.

That was the basic courtesy expected from someone who served as her right hand.

Thinking of the professor, I couldn’t help but smile.

Mira sighed lightly at the sight and rolled her eyes.

“Honestly, how did you end up so devoted to Irien? Do as you please, Evron.”

She lightly flicked her fingers against my chest.

The spatial pouch I carried shifted with a mist-like motion into her hand.

Waving, she turned and ascended the stairs.

I watched her retreating figure for a moment before straightening my clothes.

It was important to be as presentable as possible before meeting the professor.

I channeled a light flow of magic, forming various sigils—spells to cleanse my garments, to imbue them with a subtle fragrance, and more.

Simple spells, created while assisting the professor over the years.

As the magic enveloped me, cleansing and refining my appearance, I slowly made my way toward the staircase.

***

Ascending to the tenth floor, I arrived at the professor’s chamber.

The door, infused with powerful magic, was firmly sealed.

I needed to announce my presence.

Clearing my throat lightly, I glanced at the small chime hanging on the door.

It radiated a peculiar magic.

A treasure, of course.

By my classification system, it would be considered a Rank 1 Undefined Entity.

Though, at the moment, it was simply being used as the professor’s doorbell.

I carefully rang it.

The magic within the chime stirred, and soon, a wraith emerged from within.

A familiar face.

It was the same wraith that always delivered the professor’s messages.

It tilted its head at me.

I gestured toward the door with my chin.

After staring at me blankly for a moment, the wraith phased through the magic barrier and disappeared beyond the door.

A moment later—

Boom!

Something exploded on the other side.

The wraith reemerged, its form flickering and weakened.

It seemed the professor was irritated.

The wraith, looking rather aggrieved, gestured toward the door.

That was as good as an invitation.

As proof, the magic sealing the door began to dissipate.

The barrier lifted completely, and the door swung open.

I stepped inside and nodded slightly.

Though I had been gone for a week, the room remained as immaculate as ever—a testament to the housekeeper’s meticulous care.

The housekeeper, waiting near the entrance, approached me silently.

He nodded slightly and gestured toward the center of the room.

There, a massive bed—large enough to fit at least ten people—dominated the space.

At its center, there was a slight stirring beneath the blankets.

As I approached, I saw her.

Professor Irien.

With a drowsy expression, she peeked out from beneath the blankets.

I knelt beside her.

It was unthinkable to look down at the professor from a higher position.

Smiling gently, I met her gaze.

She blinked at me in a daze before shaking her head lightly.

With a sleepy sigh, she pushed aside the blankets and sat up on the bed, stifling a yawn.

“…What absurd thoughts are you entertaining now?”

She waved a hand, and the magic lingering by her side wrapped around me, pulling me upright with an undeniable force.

“So, what brings you here?”

Rubbing her eyes, she asked.

Even in such simple gestures, her elegance was evident—truly befitting a dragon.

I bowed deeply.

“I have come to offer my greetings and apologies. I dared to leave my post for an entire week. I am simply grateful that you have taken the time to see me despite my negligence.”

At my words, the professor’s expression turned slightly sour.

Resting her chin on her hand, she regarded me with a slight frown.

Seeing those furrowed brows, I felt a pang of regret.

To think I had caused even a single crease to form on her divine face—no number of apologies would suffice.

Just then, the professor stirred her magic once more.

A golden net flickered to life within my mind.

“My mind is definitely fine. This is strange… I wasn’t like this before. Am I really changing?”

Muttering to herself, she started touching the magic net.

Under her touch, the magic surrounding my head became even more solidly constructed.

To think she would go out of her way to reinforce the spell for me—it was an honor beyond words.

Moved by gratitude, my eyes sparkled, and Professor Irien glanced at me before letting out a small sigh.

“This is really strange.”

She murmured as her expression twitched slightly.

In an instant, her magic withdrew from my head, and her gaze shifted downward—to the small pocket on my robe, where my turtle was resting.

I swallowed lightly and gently stroked the turtle’s shell.

At my touch, it woke up from its nap, revealing a drowsy face.

Sticking its head out of the pocket, it blinked sleepily in its turtle form.

“This little one… did it seem different to you? It feels oddly familiar.”

Tilting her head, the professor spoke as she reached out, her magic wrapping softly around the creature.

Under the gentle flow of her power, the turtle floated into the air and drifted toward her.

Watching this, I felt a cold sweat trickle down my back.

‘Could she be onto something?’ But I quickly steeled myself. As long as the turtle didn’t take on its other form, there was no way the professor could figure out what was hidden inside.

After all, the transformation magic was seamless—even Professor Irien wouldn’t suspect a thing.

She placed the turtle on her palm.

The creature let out a weak, “Meeeng,” while staring at her.

Observing it for a moment, she clicked her tongue lightly.

“Maybe it’s just my imagination. Something’s definitely changed, though. It even looks kind of… appetizing.”

“If you wish, Professor, I would gladly cook it for you. That would be my offering, a token of my devotion to you.”

The turtle blinked at me, its round eyes flickering with betrayal.

It buried itself deeper into its shell and let out a miserable “Meeeng.”

Professor Irien clicked her tongue again.

“I’m just saying. Take it back—what would I even do with a stuffed animal?”

She handed the turtle back to me.

I let out a silent sigh of relief.

I had brought my turtle with me from time to time, but this was the first time Professor Irien had actually touched it.

If she ever decided to dissect it, she might discover the truth.

But I knew her well enough to be sure—Professor Irien wouldn’t bother with something so troublesome.

Still, I had been a little worried, but it seemed my concerns were unfounded.

A perfect crime—no, a perfect setup.

Smiling in satisfaction, I met the turtle’s gaze.

“Meeeng,” it whined in protest.

‘Did it really think I would actually cook it?’ I had only said that for the professor’s sake. I gently reassured the creature, stroking its shell.

Of course, if she truly wished for it, I would obey.

But she wouldn’t. Professor Irien knew exactly what this turtle meant to me—that was why I could joke about it so easily.

She stretched her arms lazily, then turned away, giving me her back.

Naturally, I moved into place behind her and pulled out a comb.

Carefully, I began brushing her hair.

“I suppose I do like this, at least,” she murmured, casting me a glance before closing her eyes.

I could tell—she was comfortable with me.

A warm sense of satisfaction filled my chest.

She trusted me enough to let me care for her like this.

All my efforts to assist her over the years had paid off.

I focused on brushing her hair with the utmost care.

Then, amidst the quiet, she spoke.

“Oh, right. I should tell you—I have to go out in a month.”

My hands froze.

Sensing the pause, she looked up at me, her gaze questioning.

I quickly resumed my movements, but my touch was a little stiffer than before.

Because what she had just said was shocking.

I blinked slowly.

‘It had been about six years since I entered the academy. In all that time, Professor Irien had never once left the vicinity of the tower. The reason was obvious—she found it too bothersome to go anywhere.’

‘She was the very embodiment of laziness. And now, she was saying she was going out?’

The farthest she ever went was an occasional stroll around the tower.

Still brushing her hair, I cautiously asked, “May I ask what the occasion is?”

She clicked her tongue lightly and sliced through the air with her fingers.

From the rift in space, a small envelope, carried by her magic, floated out and landed in her hand.

She passed it to me.

I paused to take it, then carefully opened the envelope.

Inside were several sheets of paper—a letter.

A letter addressed to Professor Irien.

It was filled with warm, familiar words.

Summarized simply, it was an invitation, urging her to make time for a visit.

I quickly understood why she had shown this to me.

Because, surprisingly, my name was mentioned as well.

The letter specifically requested that I come along.

I felt a surge of curiosity.

‘Who could write to the professor in such a familiar tone?’

Reaching the end of the letter, I finally found the sender’s name.

My eyes widened in shock.

There was no mistaking it.

Chancellor Vermilion.

That title was written at the very bottom of the page.

“This is…”

Professor Irien let out another click of her tongue.

Slumping her shoulders, she sighed deeply, every movement radiating exhaustion.

“It’s just as it says. The chancellor summoned us. I’m telling you in advance so you can prepare.”

She waved a hand, and the papers slipped from my grasp, vanishing back into the rift.

Her magic pushed me gently away.

Dragging herself toward the bed, she burrowed into the pile of blankets, her face scrunched in displeasure.

She clearly had no interest in discussing it further.

“Then, if you’ll excuse me. Sleep well, Professor.”

With those parting words, I left her room.

***

A strange sense of bewilderment lingered in my mind.

The chancellor…

That meant the head of the academy.

The most powerful magician in the entire institution.

Someone I never imagined I would have the chance to meet—not as a mere second-tier student.

This, too, must be a result of Professor Irien’s favor.

I tucked away the golden thread of opportunity I had just received, then turned toward the tightly shut door and gave it a respectful nod.