episode_0068

Five towering spires rose toward the sky as if piercing the heavens. Each served a distinct purpose: the Research Wing, Residential Wing, Experimental Wing, Training Wing, and Assembly Wing. Among them, the Research Tower—the central hub—stood taller than the others, adjoining the Residential Wing.

At its peak lay the Tower Lord’s private quarters, accessible only with her permission. For Ariana, a criminal officially accused of treason, it was the sole place where she could speak undisturbed. Her master, Ellin, had yet to say a word to her, so Ariana kept silent, quietly following behind.

The other two, however, visiting the Magic Tower for the first time, couldn’t help but marvel at their surroundings, their attention completely stolen. Ariana almost scolded them but stopped herself.

Anyone would react like this. I wasn’t much different when I first came here.

Though colloquially called a “tower,” this place was closer to a city—an environment centuries ahead of the outside world. People shuffled around in slippers, unkempt and clad in casual wear. Others casually paid with cards or screamed while riding chunks of spinning metal.

For Ian and Millen, the sights were unbelievable. It had changed drastically since Ariana’s time, but given how quickly mages grew bored with things, constant renovations were hardly surprising.

When they entered the Research Wing, people began recognizing Ariana, their eyes widening. They were all faces she remembered—after all, Ariana herself had once spent whole days holed up here.

A few seemed eager to greet her, but with the Tower Lord present, they hesitated, exchanging nervous glances.

The group crossed the first-floor hall into an inner chamber, where a single circular platform stood alone. Ellin stepped onto it, and Ariana silently followed. To the two still gaping, Ellin spoke plainly.

“Step onto the floor.”

Ariana didn’t bother explaining. Seeing it once would be faster. Ian and Millen reluctantly obeyed.

Then—nothing happened. At their questioning looks, Ariana turned to her master, who was staring absentmindedly upward. Sensing her gaze, Ellin blinked.

“Hmm? Should I be the one activating this when my disciple’s right here?”

“I can’t use magic right now.”

“Oh, really?”

Ellin snapped her fingers, and the platform began moving.

“Are we… flying?”

“It’s called a lift.”

“Damn mages,” Millen muttered. “Hoarding all this convenience for themselves.”

Ellin chuckled. “This technology isn’t refined enough for public use yet. Without mages constantly maintaining it, accidents would be rampant.”

“…Fair point.”

Millen faltered at the unexpected reply. Unlike Ariana, who would snap back with equal roughness, Ellin’s gentle tone was somehow harder to handle.

Soon, the lift reached its destination. The Tower Lord’s personal floor was devoid of even a single ant.

“Let’s sit first. Riel, even without magic, you can still make coffee, right?”

“You never change when it comes to bossing people around.”

“What’s the point of training a disciple otherwise? I’m blessed to have such an obedient one.”

“Could you not casually reduce my worth to that of a coffee-serving maid?”

Grumbling, Ariana disappeared into the kitchen. Once she was gone, Ellin turned to the other two.

“So, what’s your relationship with Riel?”

“We aren’t involved.”

“We’re Ariana’s friends.”

Ellin mouthed the name silently. “Ariana? So that’s what you call her?”

“Names?”

“Millen.”

“Ian Felix.”

“Ian Felix. A noble? Ah, so you’re the man who’ll marry our disciple.”

The casual declaration sent Millen into an uproar.

“Marry?! Ian’s mine! What kind of nonsense—?!”

“Unfortunately, Ariana and I aren’t like that,” Ian interjected firmly, unembarrassed. Regardless of his unresolved feelings, he had no intention of breaking his promise to Ariana. After she’d been betrayed once by comrades, he wouldn’t betray her too.

“Oh? Pity. She’d make a splendid wife.”

“What are you talking about…?”

Returning with a tray of coffee, Ariana set cups down with an exasperated glare.

“Ariana, what do you think makes an ideal wife?”

“So you’re just calling me that now?”

“Answer the question.”

Though Ellin appeared warm and kind, she was unabashedly self-centered—a trait tied to her upbringing. Ariana sighed and obliged.

“Household diligence is baseline. Raising children responsibly matters too. She must support her husband’s pursuits wholeheartedly. Above all, she must never even glance at another man.”

“See? She doesn’t want equal treatment. She genuinely believes this.”

“Which is exactly why I must return. Wasting my life playing some man’s doting wife would be a global loss.”

“But if you can’t return? For the world’s sake, shouldn’t you secure an heir? Say, a child with this handsome friend of yours.”

Against her will, Ariana pictured it—a child born between her and Ian.

“With parents like you two, the looks alone would be unmatched. Truly a child to cherish.”

“Ah, they would be cute—”

Too late, Ariana realized the trap. Ian was right there. Her words could only be taken one way: she wanted his child.

And indeed, Ian was flustered beyond words.

“You bitch! Showing your true colors?!” Millen snarled murderously.

“N-No! That was—You made me say—!”

Ellin merely shrugged, the damage done. Face burning, Ariana waved her hands at Ian.

“It’s not like that! A misunderstanding—just wordplay! I’d never—!”

“Y-You needn’t panic. I understand…”

Yet Ian’s own flush lingered as unwelcome fantasies unfolded in his head. Ariana, similarly afflicted, ran out of excuses and glared at the floor, cursing her master internally.

Meanwhile, Ian couldn’t suppress a flicker of joy. At least now he knew: Ariana did see him as a man.

Would it be alright? To truly claim a place beside her?

“Ahahahaha!”

The Tower Lord’s laughter rang through the room. Clapping, she wiped her eyes.

“You two are hilarious. Too fun to tease.”

“STOP IT! Someone might die of embarrassment here!”

Ariana was mortified. These weren’t her feelings—they were that other self in her mind messing with her.

As Millen said: a bitch. Bitch Ariana was shaking her resolve. Clinging to that thought, Ariana desperately shielded her sanity.

“Alright, enough teasing for now.”

“You should’ve stopped earlier.”

Expecting a constructive discussion—or more accurately, praying for a topic change—Ariana sipped her coffee.

“It’s about my body.”

“The whole ‘becoming female’ thing? Fascinating, but if you—one of the greatest mages—couldn’t solve it in years, how could we?”

“That’s an issue, but there’s something more urgent.”

“More urgent…? Are you already pregnant?”

“OH, COME ON!”

Ellin burst into laughter again. After so long apart, she was thoroughly enjoying tormenting her disciple.