Chapter 66

Chapter 67 (66/324)

67

Participants with seals on their chests began to ascend the platform one by one.

The number was quite a bit more than I had expected.

There were fourteen in total.

'Well, if you consider the different fields, that number makes sense.'

The theoretical field alone had quite a few subcategories. Just the winners from those categories would make up about ten. Add to that the practical field, which was divided from 1st Circle to 4th Circle, and the four winners from each circle would bring the total to fourteen.

Of course, the one who received the most attention was me, the winner of the magic formula category.

Following a nod from the Duke, I bowed slightly to the wizards.

"I am Kail Seltarion, the winner of the magic formula category this time. I still have a long way to go, so I would appreciate any advice you could give."

Among the people in this room, there were quite a few who held positions higher than mine.

So it was best to maintain proper etiquette.

At my words, the people in the hall lit up and began to clap.

Clap clap!

After the introductions, the banquet began.

Eat, drink, and chat a bit.

Even a banquet hosted by a high-ranking official didn't change its essence.

The only difference from a regular banquet was that the attendees were either talented individuals with potential, even if their status was low, or those with high status.

While eating, I chatted with the Duke's retainers who approached me.

"Um... Mr. Kail Seltarion?"

A voice came from behind.

I turned around to see a familiar face.

Surprised.

I thought it might be some middle-aged man trying to start a conversation.

It was Shimton.

The 4th Circle wizard who had come in second place in the magic formula category, narrowly losing to me.

I didn't expect him to approach me.

"Ah, you're Shimton, right? Nice to see you."

A 4th Circle wizard and a minor noble.

His status made me hesitate about using informal speech, but given my reputation as a troublemaker...

He would understand.

Indeed, Shimton didn't seem upset.

He glanced around and then spoke quietly.

"Yes. Could we talk in a quiet place for a moment?"

A quiet place.

Was he planning to stab me out of spite?

But his affinity level suggested otherwise.

His affinity, which had initially been at ?15, was now showing a positive number.

That meant he thought of me as someone decent.

'So it should be fine.'

Besides, if the worst came to the worst...

Leonhardt.

This guy, who stuck to my back like a shadow, would ensure my safety.

"If you want to."

With that, Shimton and I left the center of the banquet hall and headed for the terrace.

The dark, open sky.

He looked at me with a serious expression.

"Mr. Kail Seltarion."

"What is it?"

"First, I want to apologize."

"Apologize for what?"

"To be honest, when I saw you advance to the finals, I suspected you might have used unfair methods. I also underestimated your 1st Circle magic. That's why I'm apologizing."

"Well, it's understandable. I'm not offended. I accept your apology."

He had the characteristics of an ambitious person and a desert locust, but he was definitely a hard worker who had climbed to the 4th Circle through effort.

He had talent, too.

It was natural for him to feel rebellious when he saw a noble like me.

Still, why was he suddenly doing this?

I asked him.

"But, why the sudden apology? You don't seem to like me."

"No, that's not it. During today's finals, I saw the activation methods of the five spells you cast."

Shimton's eyes sparkled, and a magic spell appeared in his hand. It was Fire, one of the spells I had shown today.

At that moment,

Clang!

Leonhardt instantly pointed his sword at Shimton's neck.

It was a lightning-fast move.

"What are you doing? Using magic without permission in front of the young master?"

Shimton, looking flustered, quickly spoke.

"I had no intention of threatening Mr. Kail. I just wanted to show how impressed I was by casting the spell."

The Fire spell in Shimton's hand disappeared.

"Alright, stop it."

At my words, Leonhardt sheathed his sword.

Feeling the blade at his neck, Shimton seemed to shrink. I asked him.

"So, Shimton, did you call me here to apologize?"

"That's not all. I wanted to ask you something. You seem to be aiming for the championship in this tournament. Could it be... because of the magic tower?"

"Right. I plan to build one soon."

Shimton's face lit up.

"If so, could I join your magic tower?"

"My magic tower?"

"Yes, that's right."

"Before we get to that, did the Duke's family not offer you anything?"

A wizard of Shimton's caliber would be a valuable asset to the Duke's family.

He was a top talent in the magic formula category, excluding me.

They must have made an offer.

'Could it be... this guy?'

Did he reject their offer?

"...They did offer to work together. I declined."

My guess was right.

"Why? The Duke's family is a place every wizard aspires to. You must know the power of the White Magic Tower."

"True, the Duke's family is a great place, but it also has clear limitations. It's already filled with wizards more talented than me."

"Limitations?"

"Yes. Even if I joined, I would likely just be one of the many retainers."

"Have you thought about climbing the ranks there?"

Shimton gave a bitter smile.

"I know myself well. I have some talent, but it's not as overwhelming as yours. Even with support from the Duke's family, I doubt I could surpass the 6th Circle. I think the 5th Circle is my limit."

Shimton.

He was more realistic than I thought.

Reaching the 4th Circle at twenty-two indicated he had some talent.

In a situation where most would be consumed by arrogance, he had a clear understanding of his limits.

'His assessment is probably accurate.'

I never heard that he reached the 6th Circle in the game. He was likely one of the extras who died in the villains' invasion after working hard for the Duke's family.

"Looks like you've moved from a commoner to a minor noble. Is that right?"

"...Yes."

"In my case, I received strong support from my family. If you achieved the 4th Circle without any support, I think you have enough talent."

Shimton gave a bitter laugh.

"...Lately, I've been feeling a wall. I feel my talent isn't enough to break through it."

"Alright. So, you want to join the magic tower I plan to build?"

"Yes."

His thoughts were obvious.

A new magic tower.

Most people who strike it big start from a startup.

Start small, end big.

That's the idea.

The potential of the magic I showed and the uncertain position of a new magic tower.

He probably thought it was better to bet on me rather than join the Duke's family, where everything was already set.

'This isn't a bad offer for me either.'

Even with the rights to build a magic tower, I needed to meet certain conditions.

One of them was gathering ten wizards, all at least 2nd Circle. It would be easy to gather random wizards, but gathering elite ones would be difficult.

I planned to gather a few good wizards and fill the rest with less capable ones to start.

If someone like Shimton joined, it would reduce the number of less capable ones and brighten the future of my new magic tower.

'A 4th Circle wizard.'

For a new magic tower owner like me, he was a drool-worthy talent. It wouldn't be easy for a new magic tower to attract such talent.

"Good for me. Do you have any conditions in mind?"

"...I'd like better terms than what the Duke's family offered."

"What did they offer?"

"They promised two platinum coins per month and support for various magical items."

Hmm.

A monthly salary of 200 million.

Not a bad job.

"Did they not offer a management position?"

"That... they said my skills weren't enough and that I needed more time."

Of course.

Even a lower management position in the Duke's family required at least a 4th Circle wizard, and they needed time to assess the person.

It would be difficult to offer a management position immediately.

'Shimton.'

Talent in magic research was a question mark.

His characteristics were a desert locust, ambitious, and another question mark. As an extra-like character, I didn't know what was in those question marks.

'Probably something related to magic in his talent.'

I didn't know what the other hidden characteristic was.

Depending on what was in those question marks, he could be a winning lottery ticket or a major disappointment.

While there were good characteristics, there were also many bad ones.

If something like a snake's heart, traitor, or lazybones was in those question marks, I would be in trouble.

'But, even so.'

I wasn't in a position to reject his offer out of fear. As a new magic tower owner, the opportunity to have a 4th Circle wizard under me was rare.

"Double the monthly salary. I'll provide as much support as possible. If you join me, I'll give you a management position in the research department. This is the best offer I can make. Of course, as a new magic tower, only the salary and position can be guaranteed immediately. How about it?"

"Um..."

Shimton then asked me one more thing.

"Can I learn the magic spells you created directly from you?"

Ah, you wanted that too?

Well,

"Yes, it depends on your performance. Honestly, we just met today. Why would I immediately teach you my magic? Besides, magic isn't something you can create overnight."

"I'm not asking for immediate instruction. If my loyalty is proven in the future..."

"Then it might be possible. But so far, I've only created the five spells you saw today. I might not create more in the future. Is that okay?"

He seemed to make a decision, his eyes sparkling.

"...Yes, that's fine."

"Then let's work together for a year and get to know each other better."

Of course, I had no intention of revealing anything now.

I'll teach you if you do well.

Shimton, after a moment of thought, seemed to make a decision and said firmly.

"...I will pledge my loyalty to Kail Seltarion."

At that moment,

'...Huh?'

Shimton's talent and characteristics.

The question marks there began to turn into words.

'Could it be...'

Do I need to have high-level characters under me to see all their information?

Subordinate.

Actually, Ersiel and Leonhardt weren't formal subordinates.

They were just talented individuals who ended up by my side.

In contrast, Shimton was different.

He was a formal subordinate who had pledged loyalty to me.

The Insight ability unlocking the question marks was probably because of this.

After a moment of surprise, I looked at the words floating above his head and slowly nodded.

Shimton.

He was more useful than I thought.

It didn't feel like he would be a major disappointment.