Chapter 23

◈ Chapter 23. Objection (1)

『From now on, the regular meetings of the Tower of Mages will resume.』

The Tower of Mages, a symbol of the Republic of Korea.

It wasn't just for using portals.

I had decided to visit it properly someday.

The reason was simple.

‘There is [Magic] there, not [Skills].’

Like a portal.

There is magic that can make full use of Granfel's talent.

But regular meetings?

Even if we set aside the ten-year gap.

I mainly use magic now.

But my class has always been a Demon Hunter.

‘What are these regular meetings anyway?’

Naturally, I lack information on how the society of mages operates.

But it didn't matter.

“Just as I was about to visit, this is perfect.”

I'm not the type to hesitate.

Even if it's a strange Tower of Mages.

I had a gut feeling that I could walk around confidently like a runway model.

Regular meetings.

I don't know what I'll gain from them, but I'm sure I won't lose anything.

『A natural magical talent could mimic most spells just by watching them.』

Baron Ascura.

Rank 4, Jesse Hainness.

Seeing them made me realize my own shortcomings.

“I'm not in a position to be picky.”

“I need to prepare.”

From now on.

It means that the regular meetings could start at any time.

I'm the type who dies by formality and procedure.

Being late is something I can never tolerate.

I immediately began preparing to go to the tower.

Well, preparation...

Clank─

“Procrastination is a bad habit.”

What else could there be but doing the dishes?

*

The Tower of Mages.

Cle, a skilled mage, pulled her robe down.

To hide her excited expression.

‘My heart is racing...!’

Since the Tower of Mages was summoned into the world of adventurers.

The focus was on identifying the cause.

As a result, the tower wasn't functioning properly.

But now, the regular meetings are resuming.

It was a decision made by the tower's master and the higher-ups, so Cle, being just a skilled mage, didn't know the reason.

‘Did they find something out? I'm looking forward to it.’

But she was also a mage of the tower.

With pure research on magic being the top priority.

She couldn't help but look forward to the regular meetings.

Cle's role for today was to guide the adventurers, specifically the invited ones.

It wasn't a difficult task.

‘They are all well-known figures, after all.’

It's the regular meeting of the Tower of Mages.

Only skilled mages, and only those who have passed thorough verification, can present their research results.

Naturally, not just anyone could be invited.

“...But the tower is unusually crowded today.”

On the stairs floating in the air.

Cle looked at the crowd gathered in front of the portal.

Most of them were adventurers.

Although she detested the noise...

It was inevitable.

“After all, the Yusra Islands were discovered.”

The Yusra Islands.

Their name appeared in old magic-related books.

In the past, it was a very wealthy kingdom.

“I hope they bring some good magical tools.”

A legendary treasure island.

But Cle, being a mage of the tower, naturally had more interest in magical tools than in gold and silver.

Anyway, it was almost time for the regular meeting to start.

“Seems like there's not much to do.”

Thanks to the illusion magic, right?

Cle shrugged her shoulders lightly.

The players couldn't see her.

As mentioned, due to the illusion magic cast on the tower on the day of the regular meeting.

The regular meetings of the Tower of Mages.

Their reputation is as great as the results they present.

Maintaining the secrecy of these results is essential.

That's why only those invited can attend the meetings.

‘Without an invitation, no one, not even me, can easily notice and climb these stairs.’

Of course, there is a special rule.

If someone can see through the illusion magic.

They can attend the regular meetings without an invitation.

But it's a rule that might as well not exist.

‘After all, it’s the tower master’s illusion magic!’

It wouldn't make sense for someone at that level to not be invited to the meeting.

Cle's shoulders tensed even more.

I feel like I've suddenly become a great mage...

“My voice won't be heard either.”

I should take advantage of this opportunity to talk to myself.

The silent tower.

Sometimes it feels like cobwebs are forming in my mouth.

Click─

Then.

“...?”

The sound of shoes.

More precisely, the sound of someone climbing the stairs.

Cle, wearing a robe, tilted her head.

‘...But all the invited adventurers have already arrived, haven’t they?’

Including Jesse Hainness.

The adventurers she invited were guided to the meeting venue.

Most importantly, since Cle herself was in charge of the guidance, she was sure of it.

Then, who is this man?

‘...Maybe I can tell by looking at his face.’

He might not be an adventurer.

Cle slightly pulled back her robe and looked at the man.

Silver hair.

Black eyes.

And a long coat...?

No, his attire clearly showed he was an adventurer.

Cle, who had been calm, started to panic.

‘Maybe there was some mistake?!’

Did I check the list of invitees incorrectly?!

Cle took out a parchment from inside her robe and checked it.

“...There are no new adventurers added?!”

Then, who is this person...?

The man spoke to Cle.

“I want to observe the meeting.”

“Th... That invitation, can you show it to me?”

“I'm sorry, but I don't have one.”

“...Y... Yes?!”

Wait, this doesn't make sense.

Climbing the stairs without an invitation and talking to me?

That means he saw through the illusion magic!

Cle shook her head repeatedly in her mind.

‘No matter what, he couldn't have seen through the illusion magic.’

Yes, it was cast by the tower master...

“Still, it's a fine illusion magic.”

“...H... Huh?!”

Cle was shocked again.

Fine illusion magic?

This man not only saw through the tower master's illusion magic but also evaluated it?

“Indeed, it deserves praise.”

The tower master deserves praise...

‘N... No, it must be a joke.’

Cle looked at the man who was now right in front of her.

His expression was completely serious.

His gaze seemed to scrutinize everything, including herself.

From that, she was certain.

This wasn't a joke.

‘Is there such a person among the adventurers?’

Why is such a person only appearing now?

A completely unexpected development.

Cle, flustered, tried to continue.

“...According to the rules, I will guide you to the venue.”

.

.

.

Indeed, this is the regular meeting of the Tower of Mages?

The process of entering is no joke...!

I marveled as I climbed the stairs.

‘Illusion magic. But it's not just a simple illusion.’

Click─

As it appeared.

I could step on and climb the stairs.

How impressive this level of 『Magic』 is.

If it weren't for Granfel's setting as a legendary talent,

I wouldn't have realized it.

Just from the words that came out of my mouth, you can tell.

“Indeed, it deserves praise.”

It was the highest praise, the best of the best.

Comparing it to Jesse's [Heavenly Punishment] would be an insult to these stairs.

But it was always a matter of mana.

I did a rough calculation in my mind.

‘If my mana is around 1,000...’

I should be able to use it similarly.

At the moment I saw it.

Exploration, interference, manifestation.

I had already grasped the structure of this illusion magic accurately.

Of course, the premise of having 1,000 mana is absurd.

‘It has to be at least level 1,000, right?’

But I wasn't discouraged.

The regular meetings had just started.

I followed the robe that had been trembling since earlier.

‘Maybe I can make up for my weaknesses at the meeting.’

With that expectation.

*

Crystal Hall.

The space inside the Tower of Mages where the regular meetings are held.

Its vast size is hard to believe it's inside the tower.

The floor, walls, ceiling.

Even the spectator seats.

Everything in this space, made of crystal, seemed to enhance the mystique of magic.

But that's not something new.

“...It's boring.”

Jesse Hainness complained in a small voice.

Her cap moved.

-Student. At least don't fall asleep during the meeting.

“...I'll try. Yawn─”

-At least endure until Marcello's turn!

The nagging of her cap teacher.

It's something she should have been scared of for a while.

Jesse replied in a sleepy voice.

“Honestly, I don't understand much even if I listen.”

Magic, after all, is just a skill.

A skill that you can activate by learning, consuming mana, and shouting.

But exploration, interference, whatnot.

Why do they explain it with such difficult terms?

“I would have played a game if it weren't for a quest.”

Jesse, known as a mage among mages among players.

But even for her, the level of the tower was too high to keep up with.

She just didn't interfere.

The level of the tower and its mages was so high that they could be called the strongest in Arcana.

Jesse stretched.

“Until Marcello. That's what you said, right?”

Marcello.

She knew who he was well.

Jesse, who often visited the tower while completing the mage class quest.

Apart from the tower master and the elders.

Marcello, the chief mage, was called the real power of the tower.

“The real genius is him, not me.”

Genius.

One of the many titles given to Jesse Hainness.

But Jesse didn't like that nickname.

What kind of genius can't even understand a single presentation at a meeting?

She flips through all kinds of skill books and magic books every day.

But acquiring unfamiliar knowledge isn't easy.

-It's just a matter of concept. You will understand it someday.

As the cap comforted her.

Finally, the long-awaited presentation by Marcello began.

Long legs.

A gaunt face.

Prominent cheekbones.

Crystal Hall.

The man standing in the center.

Marcello began to list his research results.

“The tower was summoned to the world of adventurers for some reason. In fact, it's not just the tower. This is just the beginning. Interference between worlds is happening even as we speak.”

World interference.

The tower calls new updates this.

Jesse's eyes sparkled as she listened silently.

“A lot of time and concentration will be needed to reveal the reason. But the tower will not give up. I hope today's presentation will be the signal.”

The title of the presentation was Fusion.

The grand title matched the shocking content.

“Science. A new concept in the world of adventurers. I saw potential in this science. The potential to further develop magic.”

Mentioning science.

Jesse was startled.

Magic and science can't coexist, right?

She had this prejudice without realizing it.

In that sense, Marcello's idea was definitely genius from the start.

He was also an excellent presenter.

Science.

As a familiar concept, Jesse and the other players were absorbed in the presentation.

“However, the approach to this fusion must be cautious. Merging two completely different concepts, regardless of ease, can bring unknown variables.”

Marcello said this and.

Manifested magic.

A ball of flame bloomed in his palm.

It was noticeable.

That it was an advanced magic resulting from the fusion of magic and science.

“Of course, I will need the cooperation of the adventurers in this process.”

The players murmured at this.

“...What, is he giving us a quest?”

“Wow, it was worth enduring the boredom. Really!”

“Quests are so rare these days!”

Ignoring the small commotion.

Marcello continued.

“Then, I will take questions last.”

Silence─

Who could dare to ask a question?

The mages of the tower, the players.

None of them had a question to ask Marcello.

After all, magic and science.

It's natural to lack understanding of two completely different concepts...

Snap─

“?”

...Huh?

Jesse doubted her eyes.

Someone raised their hand.

And said.

“Can I raise a question?”

The dignity in his tone.

A voice Jesse could never forget.

“Such a strange magic...! No, Mr. Ho-yul!”

Yes, the one who raised the question was Ho-yul.

Ho-yul and Marcello's gazes met in the air.

Marcello nodded, and Ho-yul asked.

“I think there is redundancy in your exploration process. What do you think, Chief Mage Marcello?”

“...!!!”

...Isn't this like an interrogation?

Of the real power of the tower, the chief mage.

The atmosphere froze instantly.

But for some reason.

Marcello's reaction was not normal.