"No, Lady Dersia? Lady Dersia! No, huh...?"
The knight's sorrowful knocking soon faded away. It seemed Dersia had used some sort of magic to silence the sound.
"Is it alright to do that?"
"Is there any reason it shouldn't be?"
Not a hint of hesitation could be found in Dersia's expression as she spoke so curtly. Truly, she seemed to have not a shred of interest in what happened to the Magic Tower. The Magic Tower is not a simple research space, but a mage's home.
Workshops, research, data investigation. None of it is possible without the Magic Tower. At least, that's what I understood.
That was why a mage's greatest fear should be expulsion from the Magic Tower...
"I have no need for it. Even if I gathered all the knowledge of the Magic Tower, it wouldn't make that much of a difference when compared to my own. And..."
Dersia narrowed her brow, looking slightly displeased, and spoke.
"The Magic Tower has been corrupted. They focus only on imitating and refining magic."
"Is there a problem with that?"
"Yes. They are engrossed only in the task of making already perfect magic even more perfect. It might be a task someone has to do."
"However, it is not the task the Magic Tower should be engrossed in."
"If one walks the true path of magic, one should see not only the flower from the seed, but also the tree, the weed, and the grain."
"Yet they pour all their efforts into refining a flower that is only beautiful. Because their purpose is to fawn over the nobles..."
A torrent of facts I hadn't asked for poured out. I'd thought it before, but when it comes to magic, Dersia becomes quite talkative. After speaking for a long while, Dersia concluded with a look of disillusionment.
"In short, there's no real difference between the Magic Tower of a hundred years ago and the Magic Tower of today."
"At best, they've only achieved a worthless kind of progress that is slightly more aesthetically pleasing to the eye."
"Did you fight with the Magic Tower?"
"I am simply the one who does not wish to be involved."
So they fought. Figuring Dersia would handle it, I said no more. But the Magic Tower was persistent.
The next day.
"La-Lady Dersia! A message has come from the Magic Tower saying they will forgive the matter of you burning all the materials if you respond to this summons!"
"... Why would you do that?"
"I merely burned the materials I created. It is not something to be criticized for."
And the day after that.
"Lady Dersia! A message has arrived stating they will not hold you accountable for insulting the Tower Master's research materials to his face!"
"Seriously, why did you do that?"
"He plagiarized my research. Of course, I don't mind something of that level, but what he made with it was the refined magic I spoke of yesterday, so I was hoping it wouldn't happen again."
"..."
As if she had done nothing wrong, Dersia brazenly sipped her coffee. She really was a problem child in her younger days. Now I understood why other mages feared or avoided Dersia.
"Still, it is bothersome that they keep coming. It is not easy to concentrate on your teachings."
"I'm sorry. I'm a bit lacking."
For those three days, I had been diligently learning Shape:. But unlike Remove:, it was difficult. No, it was completely new.
I still hadn't gotten a proper feel for it. My understanding of Shape: was engraving a phenomenon onto the body. Even the easiest one, the rupture of muscles that Dersia had applied while training me, kept getting applied in strange ways.
My muscles would either relax, or it would feel like I was getting a massage. Dersia encouraged me as if it were nothing.
"It's a matter of time. Since you've experienced it with your body beforehand, the moment you find a clue, it will unravel. Rather..."
Dersia, looking at my hand with a brief expression of surprise, affirmed me.
"Your failures are not simple failures. They are closer to progress."
"What do you mean?"
"It means that instead of following what I've taught you exactly, you are attempting to create your own magic."
"What? I am doing exactly as you've told me."
"Same perception, different interpretation, as they say. I can see all the creative, no, daring attempts you are making."
"For example, trying to disprove what I taught you by applying it in reverse to understand how to use Shape: to your advantage."
Dersia smiled, looking quite satisfied.
"I see this as your greatest strength. It may take you longer than other mages to learn magic."
"Your output may also be lacking. But when it comes to understanding and utilizing that magic... you are peerless."
"So that's what you meant when you said a talent for magic and a talent for being a mage are different."
"It's a slightly different matter, but yes. That would be an appropriate way to put it."
If that's the case, then so be it. As I was practicing Shape: under her satisfied gaze, the door was pounded on once again.
"Lady Dersia! We've decided not to hold you responsible for anything that has happened so far, so please! Even the incident where you assaulted a member of the Magic Tower...!"
"What was the reason for that one?"
When I asked out of pure curiosity, Dersia shrugged and answered.
"I just felt like hitting him."
She was truly an exemplary Master.
The next day. The exhausted voice of the knight, weary from running errands for both sides, contained something other than forgiveness.
"Lady Dersia! In addition to what was said before, a message has arrived saying they will grant you one thing you desire..."
I thought she would naturally ignore it, but Dersia sighed and rose from her seat. It was so surprising that my eyes went wide.
"You're going?"
"Yes. No matter what, being expelled from the Magic Tower brings more than a few inconveniences."
"No, the fact that you haven't been expelled is more surprising."
How had she not been kicked out after committing all those acts? Dersia chuckled and replied.
"A Magic Tower with a 9-Star mage. They treasure that worthless title more than anyone in the world."
"Ah."
So it was a relationship where she didn't even go there, and they just borrowed her name.
"And, I was waiting for that."
"Looks like you had something to gain from the Magic Tower."
"Did I not say? There is nothing to be gained from those regressive pieces of trash."
"Then why are you going?"
"Jern. There is something for you to gain from the Magic Tower."
"... Yes?"
"The name of the Black Magic Tower carries enough weight that if you belong to it, you won't be looked down upon when introducing yourself to other mages."
"Of course, this is a secondary benefit. There is something that can only be obtained there, and I thought it would be good to get it on this occasion."
Clunk.
As she threw open the door, instead of the worn-out knight... There was a marketplace in some desert where people were passing by. It was clearly an incredibly distant, different region.
Even though another space suddenly connected to the alleyway, people just glanced at it curiously and showed no other reaction. As I followed behind the unhesitating Dersia, I began to understand the people's lukewarm reactions for some reason. I noticed that my tide sense couldn't reach some of the people in robes passing by and furrowed my brow.
"There are a lot of high-level mages for a place that isn't the academy."
"I wouldn't know, but the meaningless phrase 'the first Magic Tower' seems to attract mages. They are all just posers, so there's no need to be afraid."
It wasn't me who was scared, but the mages around us.
"...?"
"Wh-Why is she...?"
"Why is that elf...? Ah, is it because of that incident?"
"Tsk, disciple. Let's take a vacation for about a month."
I wondered if this was what it looked like when the Red Sea parted. It was obvious from their every action that they wanted nothing to do with her. Of course, it wasn't that surprising.
Hearing of Dersia's eccentricities, no, her evil deeds, I felt their reaction was rather mild. The Black Magic Tower—unlike the ones at the academy—was not in the shape of a tower. It was rather the opposite.
It was just an ordinary, old wooden building. Five stories high. Is this a Magic Tower?
"It was a mistake to choose it for not being obsessed with form. To think that it was the result of not wanting any change whatsoever..."
Sighing and shaking her head, Dersia opened the main door and went inside. As I tried to enter, the door suddenly slammed shut.
Bang!
As I wondered what was going on, Dersia commanded.
"Wait there for a moment."
"Yes."
I stepped aside slightly so as not to obstruct the passersby and waited. During that time, I could see mages coming and going several times, just like at some local government office. They were all hastily carrying stacks of documents.
They also had several conversations, and as I eavesdropped, the contents were far from ordinary.
"You still haven't analyzed it?"
"No. I've checked it several times, and all the defensive spells were operating normally. If they had been broken, it would be a different story, but..."
"Damn it, what in the world did they do...!"
I had always thought that the race of mages was always relaxed and at ease, but it seemed they couldn't help it in situations like this. After waiting for a few minutes, Dersia returned and gave me a certain cloak.
"This is a Cloak of Perception, a kind of entry pass. You should be able to enter if you wear it."
"Ah, yes."
Putting on the cloak, I was able to follow Dersia inside. As soon as I entered, I narrowed my eyes. The size was completely different from what I saw outside.
"Did you expand the space with magic?"
"It was extended."
If that was true, it seemed to have been extended by an incredible amount. What looked like about five stories turned out to be nearly twenty as we walked up the stairs, and when we reached the top floor, all the decorations, including the wallpaper, were either gray or black. Dersia looked around and let out a low hum.
"I never thought I'd come to such a gloomy place again. I want to finish this quickly and leave."
I barely managed to hide the words "It suits you." On the top floor, there was only one door. Dersia opened it without even knocking.
"... No, what in the world."
The people inside already seemed to have met Dersia, their expressions flabbergasted. Old men with liver spots, the youngest of whom looked to be in his eighties, were sitting around a round table, looking very vigorous for their age. Is this the Council of Elders of the Black Magic Tower?
Inside the overall dark room, as Dersia sat down, the elder with a goatee next to her pressed his brow.
"What in the... 'Give me a Cloak of Perception,' and then just leaving, what does that mean? Shouldn't you at least give an explanation..."
"My disciple couldn't get in."
"... Disciple?"
The Elders' gazes fell upon me. They looked at me up and down with bewildered expressions, then blinked.
"You took a disciple? You?"
"Yes. It seems you haven't heard the news."
"... Hmph, come over here."
I did not go. When the Elders looked puzzled, Dersia said.
"It's fine."
"Yes."
Only then did I approach the old men. They looked me up and down, then looked at Dersia with disappointed expressions.
"He is not very outstanding. A Great Mage like you couldn't have failed to see this."
"Why on earth... hmm?"
Suddenly, the old men looked at me again and were startled. ... I guess the Elders of the Magic Tower can tell that I'm a heart-realm mage. They covered their mouths with horrified expressions and said something strange.
"Could you stand next to Dersia for a moment?"
"?"
I did as I was told. I looked at Dersia, wondering what this was about, but she also had a puzzled expression. The Elders let out exclamations like, "Hmph..." or "I see..." and then nodded their heads.
"I never knew, ahem, that you had a, uh, son."
"... What did you just say?"
"He truly resembles you. That atmosphere."
"Indeed. The eyes that look as if they have no interest in anything in this world, the fact that he never smiles, and that machine-like coldness..."
"So that's why you took him as a disciple even though he's not a particularly outstanding child. Blood is thick."
It was a terrible assessment. Do I look that much like a corpse? Dersia denied it with a look of disbelief.
"How could he be my biological child? I took him in because I saw his talent."
"He's not your biological child?"
"Impossible, they resemble each other so much."
"Then believe what you will."
Dersia glanced at me and continued.
"Before I agree to your request, let's discuss the conditions. I demand an apprentice position at the Black Magic Tower for my 'disciple'."
"... What?!"
The Elders jumped up. It seemed to be something worth being shocked about.
"No, that's not possible! The Black Magic Tower does not accept anyone without sufficient verification, no matter how noble they are, no, not even if they are a member of the Imperial Family! The very foundation that sustains us would be shaken!"
"Ah, is that so."
Dersia immediately rose from her seat.
"Then, it seems my help is not yet so desperately needed. Next time, please make up your minds before calling me."
From my honest perspective, I wasn't sure what benefits an apprentice position at the Magic Tower held. However, there must be some reason why Dersia, who despises the Magic Tower, would go out of her way to make me a member. I followed Dersia, who seemed to have no hesitation whatsoever.
It was the Elders who became anxious. After a hurried discussion, they stopped her just before she opened the door.
"W-Wait just a moment."
"Have you changed your minds?"
"Even so, we cannot accept someone who has not been verified. At the very least, shouldn't he take a test?"
"Hmm. A test, you say?"
"Show us the boy's talent. If you do, we will review it and think positively after everything is over..."
"Jern."
Dersia cut him off mid-sentence and commanded.
"With all your might—attack the Elder who just spoke."
"Yes." —Grit!!
I didn't question it. I immediately planted my feet firmly on the floor and choked the elder's neck with the greatest water pressure I could muster. I trusted Dersia.
If her goal wasn't to turn me into a murderer, then it was as good as a guarantee that the old monsters of the Magic Tower wouldn't die from my heart-realm magic.
"Kugh...!"
Even with the reduction from his robe, the pressure was enough to take my breath away.
But— "...
What is this?" The elder, whose aged body should have been easily crushed, was perfectly fine. It was difficult for him to even notice he was being attacked.
No, beyond being calm, he was analyzing it.
"Telekinesis... it's different from that. Can you all feel it?"
"Hmm. Is it pressure?"
"Quite skilled... no, is this a phenomenon that can be achieved at the stage of a one-circle mage?"
"Hah... amazing."
".... Cough, keuk."
I did my best until the very end. But in the end, my vision turned yellow and I collapsed forward.
Thud.
Dersia caught me with her hand.
"You've worked hard."
"Hah, hah..."
As I was catching my breath, the Elders slowly nodded their heads.
"... It seems we underestimated him because he is young."
"But, hmm, yes."
It seems they didn't become Elders just by getting old.
"As expected of your child. It is strange, but it is an undeniable talent."
"Very well. This is enough for us to acknowledge." ...
Or maybe not. As I staggered to my feet, the Elders spoke with serious expressions.
"Then, will the reward be forgiveness for your past sins and granting this child the status of an apprentice?"
"That is correct."
"Hah, finally the story can proceed...."
The elder in the middle let out a sigh and held out some kind of magic book.
"Isn't that the Book of Heavenly Revolution? I miss it."
"It's a copy. The original was stolen."
Dersia's expression changed slightly.
"For now... we will hide the information with this, but if they start using it, we will be found out. It's a terrible thing."
"It is not an item that can be stolen unless the Magic Tower is completely destroyed. And yet, it looked quite intact from the outside."
"... That is what's so strange. It disappeared while the Magic Tower was under attack. Naturally, it was protected by all sorts of barriers—but the intruder disabled all the security magic, took it with ease, and left."
"Does that make any sense?"
"Of course not! It doesn't, that's why it's a problem..."
The sighing members of the Council of Elders gritted their teeth.
"At first, we concluded that there was a traitor among us."
"I would have thought the same."
"So we used this method, but—" The Council of Elders spread their robes.
Without a single exception, they all had daggers plunged into their hearts. It was an extremely bizarre sight.
"Surprisingly... there were none. We are innocent."
"Hmm."
Dersia chuckled and crossed her legs.
"Or all of you are accomplices."
"Well, you might think so. But then, we wouldn't have tried so hard to summon you."
"What is it you want to ask of me?"
"... You can use any method you like."
The Elders begged in an exhausted voice.
"Please retrieve the Book of Heavenly Revolution before the other Magic Towers find out. Unlike the reward for your disciple, we will give you whatever you desire as well."
"I have no need for it. However, I have a rough idea."
Dersia stood up from her seat as if she had heard all she needed to.
"Guide me to where the Book of Heavenly Revolution was."
"I understand. Then, I will take care of the disciple."
"Jern, choose well."
Dersia left the room with those incomprehensible words. The one remaining elder approached me with his hands behind his back, cleared his throat, and asked.
"So, is there anything you desire? As a part of the Black Magic Tower, I will do my best to accommodate you."
It was the elder I had choked. Feeling a bit uncomfortable, I asked a question.
"I'm not sure what I'm supposed to choose."
"Did you not hear from your Master?"
"She just said she would tell me later, but she still hasn't explained it."
"Hmph... What a wicked master. Tsk, tsk."
The elder, who had just badmouthed Dersia, shrugged his shoulders and answered.
"A workshop, which every mage should naturally have. I will create one for you."
"What is that?"
As I tilted my head, the elder nodded and explained.
"It is rare for a mage to be cooped up in one place just for training. They travel to various places to gain new experiences."
"Especially an apprentice, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say they move every week."
"They can't carry everything with them each time, so they put their documents and research materials in a workshop and carry it around. Think of it as a portable subspace."
"...?"
I tilted my head. Dersia had judged that I needed this and brought me here, but from what I heard, it didn't seem particularly useful. The elder opened the door with an indifferent expression, led me somewhere, and added an explanation.
"Dersia probably judged that a workshop is essential for you, considering your specific characteristics."
"My characteristics?"
"Hm?"
The elder shrugged as if asking something obvious.
"Weren't you one who has fallen into the heart-realm?"