Chapter 393: Return of the Tower of Magic (2)
Lake Village.
A tourist village situated between Gallos and the central continent, it was also the site of an unfortunate incident.
The incident in question was none other than a betrayal involving the Life School of the Tower of Magic and the Life Alchemy Department of Roculi University.
Under the pretense of an academic conference, they gathered representatives from the Tower of Magic, the university, and even some wizarding families from the central continent, only to carry out an assault.
A heinous act of betrayal, one that could not even be excused.
But even more shocking was the fact that a black magician had been behind this incident.
It was none other than Gretel, who called herself a flesh chef.
Amazingly, she had infiltrated the Life Alchemy Department under a false identity, systematically devouring the organization from within.
"One elder wizard lamented that this was a truly unprecedented tragedy in the history of our kind... And I feel the same way. A black magician manipulated wizards into betraying one another. How could anyone defend such a thing?”
Kevin concluded his words, pouring a cup of coffee.
Just like the professor's office that had been recently remodeled, the coffee’s aroma had improved. He offered some to Oliver, who politely asked for a cup as well.
Sploosh.
“The Tower of Magic is in a great deal of trouble because of this, but on the bright side, I got a new office out of it... Go ahead, ask your questions.”
Kevin gestured to Oliver, who had raised his hand.
As soon as he received permission, Oliver spoke up.
“I understand that the Lake Village incident was serious.”
“Good boy.”
“You mentioned it before, Professor. However, I still don’t see how this connects to the new office.”
“Frustrating, isn’t it?”
Kevin spoke his mind bluntly but did not skimp on his response.
“When you’re a problem solver, the more difficult and dangerous a task, the greater the reward, right?”
“Yes.”
“It’s the same thing. While the incident in Lake Village harmed both the Tower of Magic and Roculi University, the Tower came out slightly better. We managed to prevent the damage from getting worse.”
“Ah...”
Oliver nodded, understanding.
In truth, thanks to Kevin, himself, Major Philip Roar of the Pure Mana School, Terrence, and Yareli and Tilda of the Skadi Sub-School, the Tower’s members regrouped and ultimately thwarted the Life School and Life Alchemy Department’s scheme.
“Of course, we couldn’t save everyone... Honestly, more people were harmed than those who survived.”
“It was that bad?”
Oliver, who had rushed to complete a paper upon returning from Gallos and thus hadn’t been fully briefed on the incident, inquired.
“Yes. The losses were staggering. Many were wounded or went missing. Among the prominent victims were the Grand Masters of the Agni and Enlil Sub-Schools. Both vanished.”
The rank of One Master, second only to that of a Grand Master, was significant enough for even someone like Oliver, less familiar with such matters, to understand the gravity of the situation.
“Many professors and senior members of the Tower of Magic were killed, too.”
“Then, is it correct to say that the original owner of this office died, which allowed you to be assigned here, Professor?”
“You’re half right, half wrong. While it’s true the office became vacant, I was awarded it because of my accomplishments in Lake Village.”
“Congratulations.”
“Don’t congratulate me; you’re on that same list of honored contributors.”
“Me?”
“Yes, you. You connected to the World Tree to assess the situation, handled the barrier enchanted with Spatial School magic, and helped Major Philip hold off Theodore. It’s a given. Explaining it all feels almost trivial.”
“But I’m merely the Professor’s assistant... Besides, didn’t you, sir, officially take down Theodore?”
“That’s what it says officially, but in reality, you were the one who did it. Don’t take me for a fool.”
“Oh, my apologies. It’s just, officially—”
“It doesn’t matter. Just being part of the mission means you contributed significantly. And you even fought Theodore for a time... which is a monumental achievement.”
A monumental achievement indeed. Oliver couldn’t argue against it.
Theodore, after all, was a Grand Master of the Life School within the Tower of Magic, and he certainly lived up to his title.
Without the aid of the lake’s magic, he likely wouldn’t have even stood a chance against him.
The disparity in firepower was overwhelming.
“I was lucky.”
“If luck keeps favoring you, it’s fair to call it a skill, don’t you think?”
Kevin dismissed the idea immediately, as if it were nonsense.
“In any case, as Lake Village becomes increasingly publicized, the Tower has announced the names of those who distinguished themselves there. It’s a matter of pride. And both of our names are included.”
“I see... So that’s why both students and professors have been looking at me that way.”
“That’s half right, half wrong.”
“Pardon?”
“It’s also because of your paper.”
“My paper...?”
“The paper on The Reconstruction and Transplantation of Body Parts and Organs through Blood and Life Magic.”
“Did you submit it, sir?”
“Yes, and everyone is astounded. From the top leadership of the Tower to all the wizards supporting it.”
...
Kevin elaborated.
“Perfect bodily restoration. It might seem surprising, yet it’s only natural that this would be among the goals wizards aspire to achieve. No matter how much prosthetics, golems, or artificial limbs advance, they’ll never compare to genuine flesh and blood.”
Oliver nodded in agreement.
He himself had wanted to give Kent a real arm instead of a golem prosthetic.
‘I’ll have to ask about that when I go with Mr. Forest... though I doubt he’ll be too enthusiastic.’
“Especially for wizards, it’s even more so.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes, people usually think that a wizard’s mind is what’s crucial, and of course, that’s true. But if you want to reach a higher level, your body must also be strong.”
Oliver wasn’t particularly surprised, as he knew the Tower of Magic placed importance on physical training.
Though physical conditioning was less emphasized than magic or theoretical studies, it was never neglected.
The power required to wield advanced magic demands a certain level of physical endurance.
“If a wizard loses even one limb, their skill level drops by several stages. You wouldn’t understand.”
Oliver nodded, having never experienced the loss of a limb himself.
“But isn’t it the same for you, Professor?”
“Yes, I have all my limbs intact. But I’ve seen enough battle-worn wizards who don’t, so I understand.”
“Are there many cases like that?”
“It’s the battlefield, after all. Between stray bullets and colony revolts, countless dangers await.”
Oliver nodded, convinced.
Even in Randa, there were many superhumans, yet they often died unexpectedly.
“Anyway, for this reason, wizards in fields like the Life School and Alchemy School have long researched ways to restore lost body parts. Surgery, potions, life alchemy... all failed, though. Creating the human body is incredibly difficult. Even partially... But you succeeded.”
Kevin spoke with firm admiration, despite having already heard about Oliver’s research topic.
Oliver cautiously clarified.
“Strictly speaking, I didn’t create anything. I simply used a core and tissue from other corpses to partially reconstruct body parts and organs.”
Kevin pondered Oliver’s correction briefly and nodded.
“... Yes, that’s more accurate. But it makes no difference. Whatever you call it, you achieved something that Life School wizards could not.”
“Thank you for the compliment.”
Oliver responded calmly, feeling little emotion.
After all, he had written the paper to save time while researching how to enhance corpse puppets.
Of course, the research hadn’t been easy.
Without prior knowledge of Blood Magic, training with Ptah’s Assistant, and insights into Theodore’s medical magic, he would never have attempted it.
It was a study that combined numerous techniques and disciplines.
Nonetheless, it remained true that he had written it, at least in part, to extend his time at the Tower.
The fact that his research had shocked the entire leadership of the Tower of Magic left him slightly bewildered.
Collecting his thoughts, Oliver asked the core question.
“Professor, does this mean I can stay at the Tower of Magic?”
“Yes. Although the Tower can be stifling, it’s no fool. You have my endorsement, as well as your own achievements. They’d rather take the risk of keeping you here.”
“That’s a relief.”
Oliver replied plainly but with genuine gratitude.
He still wanted to stay at the Tower of Magic a bit longer.
There were books he wished to read, aspects of the Tower’s administration he wanted to understand, ways of utilizing the World Tree, and elements of the educational system he was eager to explore.
“The reason I called you early was to explain this situation properly and to guide you on how to answer certain questions in the interview.”
“An interview, you say?”
“Yes. While it’s not that I don’t trust you, your personality could use some guidance. I need to help you distinguish between what should and shouldn’t be said. Don’t take it personally; it’s as much about you as it is about the Tower’s expectations.”
“I don’t mind, Professor. It’s just that... I don’t quite understand.”
Kevin pulled out a list of anticipated interview questions and prepared answers.
“What don’t you understand?”
“Why am I having an interview?”
“... It’s just a formality. Don’t worry too much.”
“No, I mean, I thought I was supposed to remain as your assistant, so why would there be an interview? There wasn’t one last time.”
“An assistant?”
“Yes... I thought I’d be staying on as the Professor’s personal assistant.”
“Of course not... There’s no way an assistant would have authored such a paper. Only a wizard officially affiliated with the Tower could have written it... Let me ask you, did you really think, when I asked you to write that paper, that you’d be staying on as an assistant?”
“Yes.”
Oliver answered without a hint of hesitation because he had never considered becoming a formal wizard of the Tower, nor did he particularly desire it.
“Why not?”
“Well, first, I’m a black magician and a problem-solver, and secondly, if I became an official wizard, I’d have to follow the Tower’s regulations, wouldn’t I?”
“That’s true.”
“And I don’t want to be restricted by those rules.”
...
The administrative body of the Tower of Magic, one of its core institutions.
Sitting at its helm was the Chief Administrator, flanked by Moirai and the masters of the Spatial School of Magic. They all shared the same expression as Kevin: a mix of bewilderment and frustration.
Oliver felt equally perplexed.
He wondered if wanting to stay as an assistant rather than a full-fledged wizard was such an unusual request.
The Chief Administrator asked him, “Why don’t you want to be bound by the Tower’s regulations?”
“If I officially join as a wizard, I’d have to follow the Tower’s instructions, and I think there could be times when I don’t want to comply... It’s not that I hold any grievances against the Tower. It’s just a personal preference, and I hope you can understand.”
Oliver answered sincerely, but the Chief Administrator’s expression only grew more incredulous, as if this was entirely beyond comprehension.
It wasn’t hard for Oliver to understand their perspective. Although he had established a reputation as a problem-solver, the life he led couldn’t compare to the security of the Tower.
While the Tower may not offer the same financial gain, it provided many benefits, such as safety, welfare, and social prestige—things that mattered to most people, though not to Oliver.
“Unbelievable...”
“I apologize, Chief Administrator. I simply thought it more respectful to mention this now rather than backtracking later if it became an issue. I hold no ill will toward the Tower, and I hope you can take this in good faith.”
Oliver offered his explanation sincerely, but the Chief Administrator wasn’t about to let it go. He scrutinized Oliver with more intent.
“You’re already affiliated with the Tower as Professor Kevin’s assistant. How could becoming a full-fledged wizard even compare? Please, answer plainly. I just don’t understand.”
Though the last part seemed a bit of a courtesy, Oliver took the question seriously and answered just as Kevin had advised.
“As an assistant, I am technically not an official part of the Tower. It’s more like private employment under the Professor. I could be dismissed at any time, or I could leave if I chose to. Besides, I only took on the position because my master encouraged me to try it.”
Following Kevin’s advice, Oliver mentioned Merlin’s name.
Kevin had told him that dropping this name would ensure the Chief Administrator and the other masters wouldn’t challenge him further, and indeed, the advice proved correct.
“Ah... I see.”
“Yes.”
The Chief Administrator and the other masters, clearly unprepared for this turn of events, exchanged looks and scrutinized Oliver once more, as if assessing the sincerity of his claims.
For his part, Oliver simply sat quietly, awaiting their decision.
‘My plan, if it could be called that, is to wait and see if they let me stay at the Tower or suggest an alternative... though I wouldn’t mind leaving either way.’
Oliver’s preference leaned toward the former, but he wasn’t particularly troubled by the latter. Following Kevin’s advice, he remained calm.
After a long silence, the Chief Administrator finally spoke.
“Then, would it be no loss to you if you were to leave the Tower of Magic?”
“It wouldn’t be without regret. But if it’s the only choice, then I’ll accept it.”
Following Kevin’s advice, and expressing his own sentiments, Oliver answered sincerely, and another long silence ensued.
Just as the silence reached its peak and Oliver was about to excuse himself, the Chief Administrator spoke again.
“Please wait a moment. We’ll deliberate on this matter.”