Magic Society

Magic Society

Central Magic Society.

This place, formerly called the Mage’s Tower, was newly named to break away from its closed-off image.

In terms of its external image, it was a futuristic place where innovation and new technology were mixed.

‘In reality, it’s because the elders of the Mage’s Tower still maintain their power.’

The Central Magic Society was the most closed-off and conservative place of all.

‘That’s why most magicians who graduate from the Academy gather at the Magic Society.’

Without family prestige, a sponsor, or even a professor’s protection, most would end their lives as magicians at the bottom rung.

‘As a result, the magicians here were often desperate to climb the ladder.’

Considering all this.

As the ‘youngest son of the Lercier Family’, I was likely seen as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for them.

I frowned at the crowd gathering around me, trying to strike up a conversation as if I were a celebrity.

Whether it was because their intentions were too obvious or simply because I disliked large crowds, I wasn’t sure.

Whatever the reason, I didn’t like it and pushed through them.

*

When I finally arrived at the accommodation arranged by the Academy.

I saw Delia’s face, drooping like a wet rag.

I couldn’t help but smile, as it seemed she had been harassed by the Magic Society’s magicians just like me.

‘It’s quite enjoyable to know I’m not the only one who suffered.’

Thinking that shared pain is indeed lessened, I sat down on the lobby sofa.

Delia spoke to me in a dying voice.

“Surely… when I came here as a child, it didn’t feel like this. Why has it become like this?”

When she was young, the family’s guards would have blocked such people from approaching, so she probably didn’t see it.

I was about to tell her the truth but got lazy and just kept quiet. Then, Rumi approached from behind me and said.

“This place…! It seems really fun.”

Rumi seemed to find this whole scene quite amusing, unlike Delia and me.

I was sighing while watching Rumi, who was looking around here and there with a grin.

Delia looked at Rumi and shook her head as she spoke.

“You just enjoyed watching us struggle… Of course it was fun for you.”

“I, I tried to help too! I just got pushed aside.”

“Yeah… I’m sure you did.”

Rumi, seemingly at a loss for words, just grinned sheepishly while gauging the situation.

I silently watched the two of them for a moment, then slowly spoke up to mediate.

“So, what’s next on the schedule?”

At those words, Rumi pulled out her magic book and recited the part about the schedule.

“It says it’s free time. We can go wherever we want and do whatever we like.”

It seems like we’re supposed to freely engage in activities and then submit a report about it.

After confirming that it hadn’t changed much from the original novel, I spoke to Rumi and Delia.

“Then let’s go up.”

Since the report will also be reflected in our scores.

To get a perfect score, it would be more advantageous to have unusual or rewarding experiences rather than ordinary ones.

As I said that while thinking about this, Delia looked at me with a puzzled expression.

“Huh? Go up? How?”

To that, I replied as if it were obvious.

“It won’t be difficult if we mention our family name.”

I ignored Delia’s expression, which still seemed to show a lack of understanding, and led the two of them towards the center of the Magic Association.

*

The Central Magic Association is largely divided into 4 floors.

The first floor was a general shopping area, along with a gathering place for magicians who weren’t officially recognized by the Magic Association.

The second floor was a place where only officially recognized magicians could enter.

From the third floor, it was a place where only higher-ranking magicians officially recognized by the Magic Association could go up.

‘The last fourth floor was where the head of the Magic Association and the main elders of each association resided.’

If I wanted to, it would be possible to go up to the 4th floor.

But there was no need to go up to the 4th floor, so it would be enough to look around the 3rd floor.

Having made that judgment, I moved towards the central staircase, a massive transfer device that exists in the center of the Magic Association.

“……”

Usually, they would check identification along with questions to verify one’s identity.

In my case, however, they immediately gestured for me to enter without needing such things, as if it wasn’t necessary.

‘It seems the butler has prepared in advance.’

It looks like he read my behavior pattern and made arrangements beforehand.

Thinking that the butler was certainly competent, I gestured to the two lingering behind and said.

“Come quickly.”

At those words, Rumi and Delia hurriedly followed behind me, watching the gatekeeper’s reaction.

Looking at the two of them, I thought that while it made sense for Rumi, I couldn’t understand why Delia was being so cautious as I stepped onto the central staircase.

*

Whirring.

A mechanical sound that doesn’t match the magical atmosphere.

If you only heard this, you might think that something mechanical was operating, but.

Actually, it was not using complex techniques, but was in the process of raising and lowering it using a massive amount of mana.

‘The reason for making it so inefficient was clearly for class stratification, they said.’

Strongly distinguishing between recognized magicians and unrecognized magicians.

I had seen in novel descriptions that it was a showy device to make those recognized by the Magic Society appear as if they were superior humans.

As I was recalling such things while looking at the first floor.

“… Ah, they’re flying in the sky!”

Rumi exclaims in surprise next to me.

I’m pretending not to notice, deliberately turning my gaze away out of embarrassment for Rumi.

This time, Delia, who was next to me, looks down below the window and speaks to me.

“Deren. Have you been here often?”

I couldn’t easily answer that question.

Because ‘Deren’s’ private life wasn’t specifically written in the novel.

‘Seeing how flexibly the butler has arranged things, it seems like he might have come often.’

Given Deren’s personality, it’s unlikely he would deliberately seek out a place focused on entertainment rather than academics, so it’s quite perplexing.

Because of such thoughts, I don’t answer otherwise and just silently look at Delia.

Delia smiles awkwardly and tells me.

“I’ve only been here once when I was young.”

I nod, as I already knew this from what she had told me earlier.

She spoke while staring blankly at the twinkling lights below.

“I was surprisingly weak when I was young. So I only read about things related to the Magic Society in books.”

Now, she shows such a lively personality that one could say she’s not just healthy, but bouncing with energy, so I had no idea at all.

I nodded silently at Delia’s words and looked at her face.

Delia smiles awkwardly and tells me.

“So, ever since I was young, I’ve always wondered what the Magic Society would be like. Now that I’m seeing it, it feels strange.”

“Is that so.”

At my words, Delia scratches her cheek awkwardly, then clears her throat and says to me.

“Ah, and… this is a different story, but.”

Wondering what she’s going to say, I nod lightly in response.

Delia stares into my eyes and continues speaking slowly.

“Since childhood… there’s one thing I’ve dreamed of while reading books related to the Magic Society, you know?”

“What is it?”

When I ask, Delia speaks as if it’s nothing special.

“My dream was to come to the Magic Society with someone I like.”

As I remain silent, unable to say anything to those words.

Delia approaches me slowly with a playful smile and whispers to me in a small voice.

“But I just fulfilled that dream earlier?”

“……”

Somewhat flustered by that one sentence, I look at Delia again.

Delia, with her ears turning red, laughs awkwardly and then pokes my side, saying.

“Hahaha. I’m just kidding.”

Knowing that she wouldn’t say such things as a joke, I was about to say something, but.

‘Until I make a definite decision on what to do, as I’ve been contemplating before.’

It was difficult to answer, so I closed my mouth again.

Seeing me like this, Delia pretends to be nonchalant and says to me.

“I said it was a joke, why are you taking it so seriously? But still… it’s nice to be here with you like this.”

“… Then that’s good.”

“Yeah. If I had come alone, I would have been lonely.”

With those final words, Delia, unable to bear the awkwardness, laughs excessively, trying to somehow smooth over the current situation.

While I’m watching Delia and pretending not to notice,

Rumi, who was behind, speaks in a somewhat subdued voice.

“… What are you two doing?”

Was it my imagination that I felt a murderous intent for a moment?

I confirmed that the flow of mana was intensely disrupted for an instant, and thought this wouldn’t be easy to brush off.