episode_0094

Fortunately, Asel’s body did not complain of pain even after leaving the recovery room. His arms and legs moved perfectly fine, and his organs were intact.

“Phew.”

He unwrapped all the bandages that were stained with blood and threw them in the trash. After that, he took a simple shower in the shower room provided inside the Magic Tower and put his clothes, cleaned with magic, back on.

A refreshing feeling, as if reborn, enveloped his body.

Asel roughly dried his dripping hair using heat and followed the Magic Tower staff member waiting in front of the shower room.

“Please come this way.”

Oddly enough, the Magic Tower wasn’t just populated by mages. There were also some servants and employees who handled their miscellaneous tasks.

Their number wasn’t large, but it wasn’t rare either. Looking around, you could see ‘ordinary people’ carrying various reagents.

It was a curious thing.

In Asel’s opinion, as a mage, it wasn’t easy for ordinary people to blend in among mages.

Their cynical personalities, logical and coherent way of speaking prioritizing reason over emotion, and their irritable demeanor were like poison to ordinary people.

It meant that being exposed to them carelessly would leave deep emotional scars.

However, these people seemed utterly unfazed, their faces perfectly serene.

The attendant guiding Asel was also the same. Asel asked for the reason and received a convincing answer.

“They pay a lot of money. The monthly salary is multiples more than other jobs.”

“Ah.”

Indeed, the best medicine for mental distress was money. Asel nodded and followed her.

“This is it.”

Soon after, they arrived in front of an antique room. The attendant bowed deeply to Asel, then turned around and went back the way they came, as if their role was finished here.

Asel watched her retreating figure for a moment before turning his head and knocking on the door.

– Come in.

The answer came back immediately. Asel opened the door wide without hesitation and went inside.

It was a room that generally resembled an office.

A space for the executive staff located on the topmost floor of the tower. Angelica, sitting in a chair with three pairs of windows behind her, smiled brightly at Asel who had entered the room.

“Welcome. This is the control room of the Aurora Magic Tower Academy Branch. Or perhaps you could call it an observatory?”

“An observatory, you say?”

Asel asked back. Angelica stood up from her chair and continued speaking as she had him sit next to Celin, who had arrived earlier and was sitting on the sofa.

“Simply put, it’s a place for observing stars. We contact each other through the movement of stars in our Magic Tower. It’s thanks to the Tower Master directly exerting her power.”

“…Does that mean you manipulate the night sky at will?”

“Yes. It’s not an easy task, but it’s not impossible if the Tower Master exerts her full power to manifest ultimate magic. Although her combat ability becomes zero as a result, the position of Tower Master isn’t determined solely by power in the first place.”

“…”

“How much contribution has been made to the Magic Tower. How much can the Magic Tower be developed, etc. Those are the factors that determine the position of Tower Master. The current Tower Master of the Aurora Magic Tower is such a great person that she was decided by unanimous consent.”

Pour.

Angelica poured lemon tea from a teapot into Asel’s teacup. Just as his throat felt dry, Asel took a sip of the tea and continued speaking.

“You seem to respect her a lot.”

“That’s right. Even at a young age, she rose to the position of Tower Master and is silently doing her job. How could I not respect her?”

“Young age?”

At Asel’s mumble, Celin whispered into his ear.

“She’s 79 years old. She’s young by Master’s standards, but she’s an old hag, an old hag.”

“I can hear everything, Celin.”

“Huk.”

At Angelica’s voice, which turned cold instantly, Celin immediately corrected her posture. Asel put down his teacup with a wry smile.

79 is a young age? Just how old was Angelica that she could say such a thing?

He knew there were many elderly among the Archmages. Although they could defy the flow of time, they still needed time to reach that level.

Perhaps Angelica, too, had undergone long and arduous training over many years to attain her current level.

Even if not as much as Ena, it was possible that her age was abnormally high compared to her appearance.

But he didn’t ask specifically. Although he was curious, Asel wasn’t foolish enough to risk his life just for curiosity.

Asking the age of a female Archmage over 50 was no different from committing suicide.

Even Ena, who was infinitely merciful to Asel, changed her face like an evil spirit the moment Asel asked her age. How could Angelica be any different?

“Anyway, let’s get to the main point.”

She changed the subject.

“First of all, Asel. The reason I called you here is, of course, for compensation. Even though it was a duel where injury was anticipated, Ermina used far too much strength, to an excessive degree. This part is entirely our fault.”

“…”

“So, at Ermina’s own request, Celin’s plea, and with my will combined, we decided to give you fitting compensation.”

“You really don’t have to do that.”

“No, it’s not. This is also related to the honor of the Magic Tower. Please don’t feel burdened and accept it comfortably. That would actually be doing us a favor.”

Angelica said with a serious expression. Celin also nodded her head next to her.

With them saying it to that extent, Asel could alleviate some of the burden.

To get completely beaten in a duel he himself wanted, and then even receive compensation? It was enough to make his triangle of conscience spin around more than once, but because they were so desperate about it, he felt more comfortable than before.

Right, it would be strange to refuse when they’re insisting on giving it. Even for their sake, it’s right to accept this.

Thinking that, Asel nodded.

At his positive attitude, Angelica immediately took out a piece of paper from her pocket.

[Item List]

Those words were written at the very top of the paper. And below that, pictures, names, and descriptions of various valuable items were listed one after another.

“These are items from the Magic Tower’s warehouse. If you choose one you want, we will deliver it to you as soon as possible.”

“Hmm…”

Asel let out a low sound and quickly scanned the item list.

Most of the items were not of much help to Asel. It was probably because the Magic Tower’s items were focused on Star Rank mages.

But that didn’t mean there were only useless items. After a moment of consideration, Asel chose a panacea that increases magic capacity.

“I will take this one.”

“Tears of the Star Sea. That’s a good choice. If you maximize its efficiency, you might be able to increase your magic capacity nearly twofold.”

“Are there any considerations before consumption?”

“Not really. It would be good to have someone assist you to fully enjoy the elixir’s effects, but…”

Angelica recalled Asel’s magic control ability she had seen during the duel and smiled faintly.

“With you, I don’t think you’ll need one. Feel free to take it.”

“Understood.”

Asel nodded.

With that, the discussion about compensation was finished. After chatting with Angelica for a while longer, Asel tilted his head upon confirming that the sun was rising outside the window.

Considering the duel took place around 5 PM, it was now a little over 12 hours later. It was indeed time for the sun to rise. Asel sipped his tea while watching the rising sun for a moment.

Saturday passed and Sunday dawned. Academy classes would start again tomorrow, and the joint duel would officially begin on Wednesday.

‘Next week will be quite busy.’

The moment Asel thought that and put down his teacup.

“…?”

He tilted his head at the sudden sense of incongruity that arose. A feeling of urgency bloomed for some reason upon thinking that Sunday had arrived. Asel furrowed his brow and searched for the source of this feeling.

Before long, a promise he had made a few days ago came to mind.

– Separately from this, go on a date with me this Sunday!

“Heok.”

The day he visited the Monster Research Club. The conversation he had with Grace outside the building flashed through Asel’s mind. He stood up abruptly from his seat, sweating cold. Celin, who had been chattering beside him, was startled by his sudden rising, but Asel couldn’t pay attention to her.

‘No, it’s today.’

The dawn morning that arrived anew, 12 hours after yesterday.

The sun of the day he promised Grace had risen.

***

“Hehehum.”

Grace stood in front of the mirror, humming a tune. It was for a final check before going out.

Neatly styled hair and makeup that applied well. And even the clothes she had chosen with great care.

It was a perfect combination carefully selected after a preparation period exceeding 10 hours. A short skirt and knee-high stockings. A pure white wool sweater that accentuated her large chest and slightly lifted at the abdomen, and finally, a black beret added as a point.

It was the perfect couple-like outfit prepared for this day. Grace drew the sword from her waist for the first time in a very long while and slapped her cheeks with both hands.

“I can do it, Grace! Let’s make as many memories as possible today!”

Memories that had all vanished upon regression. Today was a golden opportunity to rebuild a part of them. Grace intended to make the most of this hard-won opportunity until the very end. At the very least, she wanted to leave a good impression and memories with Asel.

“Aja Aja!”

After giving herself one last big boost of energy, Grace picked up the wallet she had placed on the table and left her dorm room. Then, without deviating anywhere else, she stood straight in front of Asel’s room.

“Hmm hmm.”

Just in case, she cleared her throat once and knocked on Asel’s door.

“Asel! It’s me, Grace. You know we have a date today, right?”

No answer came back. Thinking that Asel might still be sleeping, Grace knocked on the door with considerable force this time.

“Asel?”

…Again, no answer came back.

Only then did Grace realize something was strange and narrowed her eyes. Just as she was about to check for signs of presence inside the room.

“Miss Bydel?”

Just then, Lacy, who had come up to the second floor, tilted her head upon seeing Grace. She was walking around carrying a pile of laundry, and seeing Grace, who was perfectly dressed up, standing in front of Asel’s door, she immediately realized why Grace was here.

“Are you perhaps looking for Young Master Asel?”

“Yeah. I have a promise today.”

Grace replied, scratching her cheek.

Lacy’s expression subtly changed.

“…Is that so? But…”

“… ? What’s wrong?”

The moment Grace blinked and asked about Lacy’s strange attitude.

“…Young Master Asel. He hasn’t returned since going out with Young Lady Celin yesterday.”

“Eh.”

At the following answer, Grace’s face fell.