I did not bother to answer. As I was organizing my thoughts, the Elder waved his hand as if it were nothing.
“How could you not know after experiencing it yourself? Do not be anxious." "If you had any connection to the Red Lotus, your Master would not have taken you in. This old man is not so senile that I cannot distinguish such things.”
“... My Master told me that the number of people who could realize I am a heart-realm mage is extremely small.”
“Hah, did you think an Elder of the Black Magic Tower would not be among that extremely small number? It seems our reputation is fading.”
“Ah, I am a commoner... and an orphan at that, so I did not know. I apologize.”
At those words, the walking Elder’s eyes widened in surprise.
“A commoner...? Does that mean you are a natural body?”
“Yes.”
“Tsk, tsk, to think you have received all the world’s misfortune in one body.”
Making the sign of the cross with a pitiful expression, the Elder descended the stone steps, passing through countless veils. Even though I had only learned brutish things like elemental spells and the archaic formula when it came to common magic... I could still tell that the flow of mana was not normal.
The security was incredibly thorough. Sticking close to the Elder’s back, I arrived in a small, bleak room. The Elder opened the door.
Inside…
There was nothing.
Literally nothing.
It was a square, gray, box-like room without even a window. I asked, bewildered, “Is this my workshop?”
“You must choose now.”
“...?”
What is he talking about? As I stood there wondering, the Elder opened a box next to the door. Inside were truly countless keys, easily numbering in the thousands, all of different kinds.
Their material, size, and color were all vastly different.
“Hmm, which one would be good... How about this one?”
After some thought, the Elder handed me a key made of some unknown blue metal. The moment I grasped it, I felt its coldness. As I held it, unsure of what to do, the Elder seemed to realize his mistake and slapped his forehead in self-reproach.
“Ah, of course! A commoner wouldn’t know. Try opening the doorknob with that key.”
“Yes.”
I closed the door that had nothing behind it, inserted the key into the doorknob, and turned it. With a click, the door opened— Instead of the gray box, a very spacious room appeared, filled with all sorts of tools, including a cauldron, a desk, a simple bed, a table, and a bookshelf.
The Elder walked in naturally and began his explanation.
“This is a workshop used by those who learn alchemical magic. Most of the basic necessities are already here." "Apprentices who don’t have much to bring usually choose a workshop like this.”
I followed him in and touched the cauldron. As expected, it was real. ... I felt a slight shiver run down my skin.
Yes, this is what magic is.
“So this is how it works. Can it not be used in rooms without a doorknob?”
“As long as it is a sealed room with a closed door, you can open the workshop by just pretending to turn the key in front of it." "In places like inns, it opens if you close all the windows, so that’s how it’s usually used.”
“What happens if someone else opens the door to the room where the workshop is opened?”
“It depends on the settings. If the person who opened the workshop wants it to, the workshop will appear." "If someone else opens the door, only the original room will be visible.”
My own personal space. It has a nice ring to it.
“Would you like to open them one by one?”
“Yes.”
I began opening the workshops one by one with the keys and discovered a very strange place. Grass was growing on the floor. And not just a hand’s breadth, but up to my knees.
“What is this?”
“A workshop doesn’t simply serve as a room. It can also be used to grow medicinal or poisonous herbs that become ingredients for reagents, like this.”
“Hmm…”
I never imagined there would be such variety. After a moment of thought, feeling I had nothing to lose, I asked the Elder.
“Then by any chance, is there a room related to healing?”
“Healing?”
“Yes. A place where you can recover quickly when you’re sick or hurt… there’s nothing like that, is there?”
“Hmm, wait a moment.”
The Elder rummaged through the box and handed me a pretty-looking key made of white ivory.
“This room isn’t used very often, but have a look.”
This workshop was less of a workshop and more of a treatment room. A white bed and all sorts of medicines, bandages, and even surgical tools. It felt like a small hospital and a pharmacy combined.
There was even a desk in the middle with tools for compounding medicines. On the desk were several books about medicine, illness, and treatment. As I skimmed the contents, I found they were explained in such a way that even severe injuries could be easily treated just by following the instructions.
I liked it. I nodded and put the key in my pocket.
“I’ll take this one.”
“A peculiar choice. Are you really sure?”
“Yes.”
If I were to use a workshop—it would more likely be a place of escape than a place to practice magic. In that case, painkillers would be better than a cauldron. It was a simple matter of efficiency.
Seeing my quite satisfied smile, the Elder sighed with a look of pity.
“What is it?”
“By any chance, is your Master tormenting you?”
“?”
“Try to see it from my perspective. A ten-year-old boy chooses a treatment room with medicine and surgical tools instead of a magic workshop. What am I supposed to think?”
“...”
“If you are being abused, tell me. I must borrow Dersia’s power for now, so I can’t do anything, but I am willing to help you afterward.”
“It’s true I’m being used as a test subject, but I’m not being tormented or tortured...”
I recalled the experience of wandering the library with my muscles ruptured by Shape, and my words trailed off.
“... I don’t think so.”
Unfortunately.
I couldn’t answer with certainty.
After fashioning the key into a necklace and heading back up, Dersia was waiting for me.
“Have you chosen a workshop?”
“Yes. I picked one I liked… Is there one I should have chosen, perhaps?”
“That will be sufficient. Our business here is finished, so let’s leave as soon as possible.”
“Dersia.”
The Elders, with grave expressions, called out to Dersia as she was about to open a nearby door with an annoyed look.
“We’re counting on you. And be careful. From what I’ve felt from meeting him in person, they are not normal.”
“Heart-realm magic is inherently strange. Or did you think the ones who declared war on the world would be normal?”
“No…”
One of the Elders shook his head, breaking into a cold sweat.
“That’s… that’s not what I mean. No matter how much it is the heart-realm, there are limits, but those things—I felt they were a little different.”
“Hmm.”
“Please, do not be overconfident. This may sound presumptuous, but for your disciple’s sake.”
“I will handle that myself.”
Dersia coldly opened the door and stepped inside. Beyond it was a library. I was about to follow, but after confirming Dersia wasn't listening, I bowed my head instead.
“I apologize on my Master’s behalf. She seems to have some rather unpleasant memories of the Black Magic Tower, so her words came out a bit harsh.”
“... That is our fault as well. Dersia sees us as cowards who chose complacency over progress.”
The Elders sighed and shook their heads.
“But we are a short-lived race. No matter how much longer we live than ordinary people, that fact does not change. One cannot live their entire life with the ambition of youth.”
“I believe my Master chose magic, and you all chose the magic tower. It is not an issue of right or wrong.”
As I was about to follow them into the library, the questioning voices of the Elders stopped me.
“... You are quite strange.”
“Pardon?”
“Did you not hear from your Master that your life is on a timer?”
“I did. I also understand that my actions are nothing more than a struggle, and the result will not change, only that I will die more painfully.”
“... If you understand that, then why did you choose to move forward? It is difficult for us to understand.”
“Hmm. I could tell you, but...”
After a moment of thought, I shrugged and answered.
“Just as my Master, who is of a long-lived race, cannot understand you, who are of a short-lived race, you, of a short-lived race, will not be able to understand me, who lives for but a day.”
For a moment, the Elders wore dumbfounded expressions— Then they burst out in hollow laughter and nodded.
“... Hahaha! I see. That was a foolish question.”
“Now I finally understand why Dersia took you as her disciple.”
“I will take that as a compliment.”
As I stepped through the door one last time, they saw me off with expressions much softer than when we first met.
“If you survive, come visit again. At that time, we will welcome you as a member of the tower, not just because of Dersia’s request.”
Thud.
I glanced at the closed door and thought. They don’t seem like bad people. ... Could my Master be the problem?
Dersia sighed and spread out a map, marking something as she asked.
“Jern.”
“Yes.”
“Did you choose a good workshop?”
“I chose one that I found reasonably to my liking. You didn’t give me any instructions on which one to choose. Was that a mistake?”
“No. That is enough. The fact that you have received a workshop is what’s important.”
“... Um, I still don’t quite understand... Is there a reason I need a workshop right now?”
“Mages need workshops... That is the official reason, but it is for your safety.”
“My safety?”
“Yes. This is top-secret information, but a few facts about the Red Lotus have been revealed." "At the bottom of the castles they occupied, some research materials were discovered along with waterlogged corpses." "For your reference, all the corpses were natural bodies. The number was so absurd that upon investigation, they were all found to be of a similar bloodline." "It seems they created something like a breeding farm with kidnapped natural bodies to supply them.”
“Their actions are truly... disgusting.”
“And it also means they have been preparing for a very long time. Of course, facts like these are not important." "The point of contention is that the liquid they used to drown the natural bodies was seawater, which is difficult to procure. Why would they go to the trouble of using seawater?”
“... No, don’t tell me.”
“They are trying to create others similar to you, Jern. That much is certain.”
The moment I heard Dersia’s assertive tone, I remembered what Pars had said. The Three Calamities. I do not know why they want to create them, but that must be their goal.
“I cannot be by your side forever. And you cannot hide your origins from the Deep Sea for your entire life." "It would be best for you to conduct your heart-realm training in the workshop, at least until you have built up your strength." "If you happen to be discovered and become a target of the Red Lotus, you will have no means to resist.”
“I suppose I should.”
I did defeat Pars, but the result was closer to luck, exploiting the advantages of a favorable matchup and a difference in information. If the ones who attacked the magic tower started targeting me seriously, I would be helpless. The moment I strayed even slightly from Dersia’s protection, it would be a disaster.
As I fiddled with the key in my pocket, Dersia began to busily pack some books.
“Where are you going?”
“Now that I’ve received what I was owed, I must do what needs to be done. It’s a bother, but it seems I’ll have to go on a trip for a few days to retrieve the Book of Heavenly Revolution.”
“A few days? Can’t you just open a gate, teleport, beat up the thieves, and get it back?”
“The Divine Gate Pass is not omnipotent. I can only go to places where I have personally opened a gate and engraved the formula. And Jern, do not speak as if it has nothing to do with you. You must come along as well.”
“Why.”
“Are you not going to train? You must learn Shape.”
“... Can’t I rest for just a few days?”
“You may not.”
I had hoped for a little rest. Sighing, I opened the library door and went out.
“Then I will be back after telling someone I’ll be gone for a while.”
“You must return by evening.”
“Yes.”
Recently, Elysia’s growth was so noticeable it was plain to see. This played a large part in the change in my own treatment as her master. The moment I arrived at Aletus’s mansion, the butler came running out breathlessly to greet me.
“Si-sir. Isn’t today a day with no lesson?”
“I have something to tell Elysia.”
“Please wait a moment. I will guide you to the reception room.”
As I sat in the reception room, which was nicer than my own room, sipping tea, Elysia, looking much healthier than before, came running in.
“Jern! What’s going on today? There’s no lesson!”
“Sorry if you were busy, I had something to report.”
“Nn-no, it’s fine! I wasn’t doing anything! Actually, I was about to send someone to call for you, so this is perfect!”
“... Call for me? Why?”
Even though there was a seat across from me, Elysia insisted on sitting next to me, her eyes sparkling as she grabbed my shoulders and shook them.
“Dad said we should go on a trip! He said you can come too, Jern!”
“When?”
“In two days!”
“Hmm, that overlaps with what I was going to say.”
I gently removed myself from Elysia’s grasp and explained why I had come.
“I have to go somewhere with my Master recently, so I came to tell you that I won’t be able to hold lessons for a few days.”
“Oh, really? That’s a shame…”
Like any child her age, Elysia’s disappointment was visible on her face as she pouted.
“If you want, you can go later…”
“No, why would I delay your plans? It’s a family trip to begin with. It would look strange if I tagged along. I appreciate the thought, though.”
“Nnng…”
“But what’s the occasion? A trip, you say.”
“Ah, don’t be surprised!”
Elysia puffed out her chest with a proud look, held out her palm, and— with what was, for her, a look of intense concentration, began to stare at her palm.
“Hnngh…!”
It was just like before. The only difference was, back then nothing had happened, but… This time, with a flicker, a tiny flame appeared.
I was quite surprised and clapped for her.
“Wow, that’s amazing. You’ve already come that far?”
“Ehehe…”
She was panting as if she had used all her strength just for that, but it was clear progress. It meant that she could now disable her ability to reject mana whenever she chose. Elysia smiled brightly and said.
“It’s all thanks to you, Jern! Now, they say I can go back to the academy starting next semester!”
“That was your own hard work. I barely did anything.”
In truth, what I had taught her was less about magic and more things like mind control and meditation. Elysia’s problem was that her heart-realm was dominated by negative thoughts.
“No, if it wasn’t for you, Jern, I could never have done it alone.”
“I’m glad if I was helpful, but it wasn’t that much. Next time I come, about that ability to reject magic...”
Let’s try learning to control it instead. And if you can, try using it on me~ is what I was about to say. But Elysia beat me to it.
“Today isn’t a lesson day! More importantly, listen to this, the place I’m going is!! It’s the city of Azelin in the west, and it’s really, really pretty, and you have to make reservations months in advance, but because people haven’t been traveling lately, a ticket opened up—” “…”
I nodded with a bitter smile. It seemed I would be stuck as her conversation partner until evening.
Bright moonlight.
In the pitch-black darkness— A troop of knights was cautiously approaching a city full of lights. Arriving at a high point on a mountain with a clear view of the city, the troop stopped and busily set up a base.
“Commander, we have reached the destination point.”
“Good. Begin reconnaissance.”
Though it was a dark night, the knights’ vision was better than most binoculars. There was no problem surveying the city. After observing for a long time, the knights shook their heads.
“It doesn’t seem to have been taken over by the Red Lotus. It looks like some kind of festival is being held, people are dancing in the middle of the night.”
“Is that so. Then we can switch to an infiltration mission.”
The Knight Commander, nodding his head, looked around at the knights and gave a stern but quiet order.
“Listen carefully. It may look normal now, but do not let your guard down for a second." "Disguise yourselves, infiltrate, and for three days, do not make any rash moves and just observe your surroundings." "Even if you see something strange, you must report it before you act! Do not forget that acting alone is directly connected to the lives of your comrades!”
“Yes, sir!”
The highly disciplined knights began to change into the disguises they had brought. Their swords and armor were to be smuggled in, hidden in a carriage, so they gathered everything in one place. In the middle of this, a new knight who had been carefully scouting the city with suspicious eyes covered his mouth.
“... Huh? Huh??”
“Hey, rookie. Can’t you be quiet! Are you trying to ruin the mission?!”
“S-sorry. But please look at that!”
The knight, annoyed, looked at the city once more but could not find anything.
“What am I supposed to be looking at?”
“The citizens’ movements are, how should I put it… too bizarre!”
“... What?”
At those words, the knights observed the festival once more.
“... Wait. What is that.”
The sight of the citizens participating in the festival and dancing was not strange in itself. Children and adults alike were clapping their hands with happy expressions, enjoying themselves.
But…
“They’re repeating it, aren’t they…?”
To the level of a drill. After performing a dance of about one minute, they would perfectly recreate it in reverse, then dance it again for another minute. Every single citizen, without exception.
Watching that one play-like scene, a chill ran down the knights’ spines.
“No way…”
“W-what in the world is this?”
This festival is one giant trap meant to be seen by someone. And that someone—was probably them. The panicked knights questioned the Knight Commander.
“Commander. It seems our mission has been discovered.”
“There is a traitor among us. We must report this immediately!”
“This can’t be…!”
The shocked Knight Commander grabbed the hilt of his sword, trembled, and shouted.
“Isn’t this too crude!”
“...? Yes, it is.”
“You useless piece of trash!” -Swish!
The head of the knight who had been speaking fell to the ground.
“... Huh?”
The Knight Commander’s sword erupted in flames. His expression had changed 180 degrees from his earlier solemn one, now filled with annoyance and irritation.
“If I had just tricked these guys properly and sent them on their way, I could have made a safe hideout for at least a month… Don’t tell me I’m the only one who does my job properly?”
“Comman, der…?”
“Snap out of it, rookie! That’s not the Commander—!”
‘It’ used the Knight Commander’s swordsmanship and charged at the knights.
“Ugh, aghhhhh!”
“Agh, tsk, really…”
There was resistance, but it was no counterattack. It did not take long for the sighing Knight Commander to slaughter all the knights. In the blood-soaked space, as the thing sitting on the corpses of the knights let out a sigh.
Clink, clank… the clasps of the armor it was wearing began to come undone. The thing impersonating the Knight Commander stretched, grew, and multiplied… Soon, it became a huge, writhing mass of flesh that could not be described in words.
The mass looked up at the empty air and shouted.
“Hey, you bastard. What do you mean you couldn’t even handle that one thing?”
Wriggle.
The mass split open, and a new mouth appeared.
“... You should have cut him down properly before he noticed. Do you think commanding that many people is easy? This was the best I could do.”
“Agh… I’m just wasting my breath. What are you going to do now? Once they find out the whole knight order is dead, we’ll be targeted immediately.”
“We’ll have to abandon it. We have to hide until Taeheo finishes his work, right?”
“So where do we go after we abandon it?”
“Hmm…”
The second mouth muttered simply, as if deciding on a picnic spot.
“How about Azelin? I heard it’s pretty there.”