Ch 211
The student, after showing utmost respect, left the room.
Acting Tower Master Demier spoke.
“This concludes today’s interview, Master!”
“…”
Hoo.
The Gray Girl—
Lumiere let out a deep sigh, catching her breath.
“Somehow, it feels more tiring than wandering around.”
It wasn’t an exaggeration; her expression clearly showed fatigue.
The act of meeting and interviewing each member of the Magic Tower out of duty felt like quite exhausting labor to her personality.
“Oh my, Master—are you very tired!? You worked hard! Really! To cheer you up, I’ll give you my Rainbow Cake!”
“No. I’m fine.”
“Oh! I━ I wonder if Master doesn’t like Rainbow Cake very much!?”
“…”
Lumiere looked at the creature’s face.
The sight of it declaring that it would share its snack seemed as strenuous as if it were offering a piece of its own flesh.
How could I possibly take that away from them?
Lumiere chuckled wryly and said.
“To make a Rainbow Cake, you have to eat and study hard, right? So, I’ll let you have it now, and I’ll look forward to you making one for me later. It’s a kind of investment, shall we say?”
“I━ Is that it!?”
The Gray Miss.
Her eyes sparkled like a rainbow.
“Master is looking forward to my Rainbow Cake so much… I understand!!! I’ll do my best to live up to Master’s expectations!”
Demier set the table and began to savor the Rainbow Cake diligently.
“Mmm… Ah! Oh no! I just swallowed it…!”
Even while concentrating all her senses on her taste buds to analyze the flavor, she suddenly found herself unconsciously inhaling the cake and was startled.
Lumiere watched the creature’s happy expression while sipping her coffee.
She enjoyed her leisure for a short while.
Once again, her gaze turned to the desk.
They were documents summarizing the information of each student.
The Gray Girl skimmed through the documents with her characteristic emotionless expression, recalling today’s interviews.
“…”
Then, a strange expression appeared on her face.
In fact,
Lumiere felt considerable anxiety in the process of understanding the Magic Tower as the Tower Master.
“Lisir…”
It was a worry about what to do if such a mysterious creature existed so openly.
What if there was more than one creature like ‘Lisir’?
The people of the Magic Tower take it for granted?
In that case,
Lumiere was not confident that she could protect her world established as a wizard.
Fortunately, and naturally,
Lisir’s existence was unique.
Lumiere, having confirmed this fact in the process of understanding the Magic Tower, felt a sense of relief, or rather, relief.
Thus,
The Tower Master’s interest was once again focused on that existence.
“What on earth is that mysterious creature…?”
In the meeting of the Masters, she had vaguely accepted his existence, swept along by the flow, but Lumiere did not intend to end it there.
Lumiere felt that she had to ‘understand’ that mysterious existence somehow to be satisfied.
It was a matter of pride as the Tower Master, who is said to be at the pinnacle of Thaumaturgy.
Thus, at this point,
Lumiere was trying to approach the problem in the way she was most confident.
“Dark Magic Swordsmanship…”
Lisir’s Unique Skill.
She wanted to comprehend it from a magical viewpoint.
Lumiere closed her eyes and concentrated her mind.
Then, Lisir’s Dark Magic Swordsmanship, which she had witnessed before, was vividly depicted in her mind.
From the structure of the Mana that makes up its power to its detailed flow.
“…”
Ha.
A wry chuckle escaped her lips.
As she analyzed it in detail, she felt anew how abnormal its power was.
Powers of different natures unfolding simultaneously.
However,
Even such wondrous power was certainly not flawless.
Lumiere reproduced Lisir’s Dark Magic Swordsmanship repeatedly in her mind.
From some point on, an imagined Lumiere stood before an imagined Lisir.
The imagined Lisir unleashed Dark Magic Swordsmanship on the imagined Lumiere.
“…”
Lumiere observed the situation calmly, as if it were unfolding before her eyes.
How long had it been?
Lumiere slowly nodded her head.
She recalled the request Lisir had made to her before.
The request to witness the Dark Magic Swordsmanship and give her comments and advice.
It was a request to point out flaws or suggest improvements.
At the time, she was so surprised that she couldn’t say anything—
Lumiere thought.
That she could now meet his expectations.
Thus,
At that moment when the Tower Master was engrossed in the analysis of the Dark Magic Swordsmanship.
Thump.
Thump.
Thump.
“Hmm?”
“?”
The gazes of the Gray Girl and the Gray Miss, who had been engrossed in different kinds of analysis, turned to the window.
Something was knocking on the window from outside.
“That’s—”
It was a pigeon with a flamboyant yellow pattern.
Lumiere opened the window and let it in.
“Amazing. Was the rumor true?”
The pigeon spoke, looking at Lumiere.
Its voice was as flamboyant as the yellow pattern adorning its feathers.
Lumiere knew the owner of that flamboyant voice.
“Golden Star. The master of the Yellow Tower, what business do you have here at the Gray Tower?”
“The amazing news that the Wandering Star has settled down, I couldn’t help but be curious. Lumiere, what sudden wind blew? Surely, the stimulation addiction hasn’t been cured at the Gray Tower.”
Lumiere smiled wryly.
Golden Star, Karzen.
She sensed the contempt for the Gray Tower naturally emanating from his words.
“Surely, the stimulation addiction hasn’t been cured at the Gray Tower—what does that mean?”
“Haha. Why are you so overreacting? It’s something you admit yourself, isn’t it? That there are no elements in the Gray Tower that would pique your interest. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have been wandering around outside all this time.”
“That makes sense.”
“Right?”
“But, it’s not something you, who knows nothing, should be saying.”
“Is that so?”
An extremely self-centered tone.
Lumiere didn’t feel any displeasure at Karzen’s attitude.
Knowing his personality, she knew it was a waste of emotion.
“Enough. Tell me why you’re here.”
“Oh? Did I speak incomprehensibly just now? Or do you want to hear my beautiful voice again?”
“I’m not talking about noisy pigeons. I’m talking about the Yellow Mages who secretly slipped into the city.”
“That’s a bit harsh, isn’t it? It makes it sound like our guys did something wrong.”
“They didn’t do anything right, at least. Considering the number of Yellow Mages who infiltrated Bondales this time.”
“Let’s speak properly. Infiltrated? We entered through the main gate proudly!”
“If you were so proud, you would have tipped us off before our Tower moved to find out your purpose.”
“Why should we?”
“Tell me. Would you have acted like this in a city with the Red Tower and the Blue Tower?”
“I don’t know. At least, what’s certain is that this city doesn’t have the Red Tower and the Blue Tower.”
Demier, who was listening to the conversation beside her, was indignant at the statement that blatantly ignored the Gray Tower—
But that state didn’t last long.
If the Tower’s situation had been bad in the past, it would have been different, but now they had the leisure to lightly dismiss such an insult.
Lumiere felt the same way.
“The Yellow Tower mages are thugs who act recklessly without regard for their opponent, right? It sounds quite different because they’re authorized by the Tower Lord? I understand perfectly.”
“Hahaha! You’re quite sharp. Wandering Star. When did you become so attached to the Tower you’ve put out there?”
“Is it something to be attached to? If a bug lands on my table at a restaurant, I’m bound to get angry. I’ll ask one last time, Karzen. Tell me what kind of conspiracy you’re plotting in Bondales.”
“Actually, it’s not something that needs to be hidden so carefully. But—I’ll keep quiet here. I don’t intend to go through the trouble of getting your ‘permission’ to do this. I’ve already finished talking to the person concerned.”
“Bondales is clearly our territory.”
“It’s not stipulated by law, is it?”
“It’s hard for you to understand, but there’s something called an unwritten rule. It’s a convention that the relevant Tower manages matters related to magic that occur in the area including the city where the Tower is located.”
“Don’t be so stingy. We’ll just quickly take care of our business and leave. The more you do this, the messier the situation will become.”
“Please stop interfering?”
“I haven’t said that. Besides, even if you interfere, nothing will change.”
“Then I’ll gladly and diligently interfere.”
“Aren’t you already doing that? That Master Didoa has been diligently lurking around us, hasn’t she? Regardless of whether it seems to be producing results.”
Tap. Tap.
The pigeon tapped the desk ostentatiously.
“Think carefully, Lumiere. In the first place, this is something that the person concerned entrusted to our Tower. If your Tower suddenly intervenes, how will that person react? Huh? Don’t waste your energy. Why don’t you just back off at this point? If you want a piece of the cake, I’ll give you some later.”
“The story was long-winded, but to summarize, it’s to do things according to convention, right?”
The Gray Girl said to the Gray Miss.
Demier nodded vigorously.
“Yes! Master! That seems to be the meaning!”
“Sigh. This is frustrating. We can’t communicate. Well, fine. Do as you please. If your justification is so good, go ahead and take it all.”
Oh, by the way.
Just before the pigeon left the window, it casually said to them.
“If you’re so uncooperative, we’ll have no choice but to reconsider our request?”
“Request?”
“Recently, we requested a joint research with your Tower, didn’t we?”
In the past,
The Gray Tower had requested joint research from other Towers regarding a research project that was already underway.
To summarize the content of that request—
It was to provide supplies for the research in exchange for sharing the results.
“I was going to be lenient because you seemed to be in a difficult situation.”
Lumiere realized the reason why Golden Star could be so arrogant.
She looked at Demier.
“Ah, that, Master—I’m sorry… That… about a year ago… we did make such a request…”
Demier apologized.
Lumiere looked at her and gave her a kind smile.
“Why are you sorry? You only did what you had to do for the Tower. It’s actually amazing. There aren’t many people who can humble their pride and make such a request in their position.”
Above all,
Lumiere added that and looked at the pigeon.
“Bringing up something that happened a year ago?”
“For that, I apologize. Our Tower is quite busy, so it takes a long time just to consider the issue.”
Above all,
Golden Star also added that and looked at Lumiere.
“It’s always good to receive help, isn’t it? Don’t you think?”
That confident attitude contained the conviction that the Gray Tower’s situation hadn’t changed much.
It was only natural.
The circumstances of the Tower do not change drastically in such a short period.
Unless a series of ‘enormous changes’ occur.
“As you know, our Yellow Tower is quite well-off. So, well, the conversation so far can be considered a positive discussion to coordinate opinions.”
Bow your head now.
Golden Star said this ostentatiously, implying that meaning.
“…”
The Gray Girl glanced at the creature.
“W-What should we do, Master…?”
Demier was worried that Master might accept the offer.
Because the Tower Master’s will was the Tower’s will.
“What do you think, Demier?”
“Yes?”
“It was Demier who managed the Tower while I was away, wasn’t it?”
“…”
The Acting Tower Master’s expression became blank.
She never expected her opinion to be respected here.
Soon,
Demier spoke to Golden Star.
As the Acting Tower Master, not as a creature.
“Having spoken with you, I felt no respect for this Tower whatsoever. Therefore, I politely decline your offer.”
“…”
The pigeon’s beak didn’t move for a while, as it was quite different from the expected reaction.
“Is that the so-called honorable stubbornness? I respect that.”
Whether he considered the two’s reaction to be pretense or stubbornness to maintain their honor—
The pigeon maintained its relaxed attitude and said.
Lumiere said without paying attention.
“Seeing you go to such lengths, it seems to be a rather important matter? You even came here in person to take direct command?”
“Oh, I can’t deny that. It’s true that I came in person.”
That’s well said.
The pigeon turned its body away from the window and spoke to the two.
“If you continue to obstruct this, you’ll be able to meet our leader, Rocard. He’s my disciple.”
The pigeon’s beak twitched.
As if making a smiling expression.
“Please, do your best. He has a very unique personality. You’ll find him quite difficult to handle in many ways.”
✦✦✦
“Is that true? That the Spirit Cores we need are overflowing in the Yellow Tower. So, you’re willing to provide them.”
“Suddenly… Do you think I’m making things up?”
Master Didoa of the Gray Tower, who had been fiercely engaged in a nerve war just a moment ago, suddenly began to cling passionately.
It was at that moment, when that incomprehensible situation, coupled with their conflicting sensations, was about to create chaos.
“Master Yerika.”
A new figure entered the room where they were.
Only the golden cape was gathered.
A man in a flamboyant outfit adorned with magnificent jewelry all over his body, showing off his presence.
Rocard, the disciple of the Yellow Tower Master.
Seeing Yerika, he said.
“Let’s withdraw for now.”
“Yes? But—”
“They suddenly asked for time to think about what it was and postponed the decision. It seems that the Gray Tower is up to something. Seeing the name of the Talent Scout mentioned…”
Annoyingly,
He openly expressed his dissatisfaction even though there was a Master of the Gray Tower beside him.
“Huh?”
Then, belatedly noticing Lisir, he smiled as if nothing had happened and said.
“Are you a mage from the Gray Tower? It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Rocard from the Yellow Tower.”
“Ah. I’m Lisir from the Gray Tower. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
He looked Lisir up and down and smiled subtly.
A subtle smile that would make him seem strange if he pointed out that it was a sneer—
That subtle smile.
“By the way, what were you talking about—”
“Oh, Lisir! You’re here!
Dray was the one who stopped their conversation, which was about to begin in earnest.
He had spotted Lisir through the crack in the open door and spoke to him.
“I heard from the guard. How is it? Did you meet the person you were looking for?”
“Ah, yes!”
“Did the conversation go well?”
“Yes? Is there something wrong?”
“It’s nothing, but Halona wants to meet you.”
“Ah. Is it because of that?”
“That’s right. Are you free now?”
After exchanging glances with Didoa, he followed Dray.
And,
Rocard followed him as well.
✦✦✦
『Title: What the hell? Did my personality get twisted while playing this game?』
Content: Rocard seems like a nice guy,
but why does he suck?
Seriously,
he subtly, implicitly, and overtly sucks, making me want to punch him?
-: Judging by how long you’ve been playing this game, it’s not the game’s fault.
It’s just that your life has always been a disaster.
But separately, that guy really sucks.
-『Author』: You’re going on and on about a separate story, damn it?
-: That guy’s a showoff, lol.
-: That guy shows off all the time, yeah.
-『Author』: Oh, shit lol. That’s right lol.
I wondered why he sucked, but it was exactly that, a showoff.
-: What’s a showoff?
-: Ugh…
I won the lottery, but there were so many winners this round that I only got 10 million.
If that’s the case, I wish I hadn’t won at all.
-: Okay, I understand perfectly （I understand）.
✦✦✦
“Sigh. I wonder if this is alright.”
“Hmm?”
While walking down the hallway, Rocard suddenly muttered.
Dray and Lisir’s attention focused on him.
Lisir said.
“What is it, Master Rocard?”
“While I was wandering outside the Tower, I remembered something I left behind in the Tower.”
“Worries?”
“Yes. Actually, we recently conducted new research at the Yellow Tower. The results of that research…”
Sigh.
Rocard sighed and trailed off.
He looked worried, in desperate need of comfort.
“Oh dear… What kind of research was it…”
As soon as Lisir opened the conversation, Rocard immediately opened his mouth as if he had been waiting.
A subtle smile was on his lips.
“It was research to form an equal relationship with the High-Rank Spirit that dominates this area.”
“Ooh.”
“If it had gone well, it would have been research that would allow us to obtain a large number of high-quality samples. However… because the research didn’t go as planned, it only managed to gain the High-Rank Spirit’s attention. It fell far short of the initial goal.”
If,
an ordinary wizard had heard Rocard’s story, they would have frowned.
Although Rocard’s tone was filled with worry—
The content.
It was essentially the same as boasting, “‘We got the High-Rank Spirit’s attention!’”
It was essentially a sly deception disguised as a lament.
The kind that makes the other person feel inferior and unsure how to react—
Rocard knew this.
That the other person would feel awkward about his actions.
Rocard, who had considerable dissatisfaction because Dray’s intervention had ruined things, decided to vent his anger on the Gray Tower mage in this way.
Thus,
Rocard watched Lisir’s reaction with anticipation.
“Oh dear…”
Lisir frowned and spoke forcefully.
Rocard was secretly surprised.
He never expected such a strong reaction from the start.
Rocard focused on Lisir’s continued reaction with even more anticipation.
“It only managed to gain the High-Rank Spirit’s attention… I offer my sincere condolences. I’m sure there will be good results next time.”
Lisir’s continued reaction.
It was expressing sincere empathy by mentioning exactly what Rocard had said.
“…”
Rocard felt confused.
It was clearly sarcasm, but he felt sincerity in that attitude of expressing empathy.
✦✦✦
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