Chapter 42

EP.42 The Tower of Magic - 4

"The Sage's legacy?"

"Yes! The legacy left by the legendary Great Mage, the Sage, in the tower!!"

This was the first time I had seen him laugh like that.

Does he only laugh at such stories, or did he used to laugh often before the mark of a graduate student erased his smile?

I knew the answer, but I couldn't bring myself to say it out loud.

<...It's not fake, right?>

In such situations, it's best to ask the person directly. Though not entirely reliable, it was the only option now.

[...Just a moment... I've been through hundreds of battles, so I can't remember clearly.]

Now, he wasn't just unreliable; he was suspiciously irresponsible.

"Right? Right!?"

...It was the first time I had seen this graduate student laugh like that.

"...Yes, it is."

Leonardo had no choice but to tell a white lie.

"Of course!! Then follow me! Let's combine our clues!"

She excitedly pulled Leonardo and ran. It seemed that casually exterminating criminals was out of the question.

***

The place they arrived at was a shabby, cramped room.

It was too inadequate to be a lecture hall and too inhospitable to be a dormitory.

"Here..."

"This is our Sage Research Club room!!"

"Sage Research Club...?"

"Yes! For the Sage, by the Sage! It's a club for the Sage!!"

Leonardo looked at the research subject beside him. It was quite uncomfortable to see someone so proud of having a club.

To be honest, the Sage being the research subject was correct.

[If only I had chosen this person as my successor, it would have been a real loss.]

<Then, should I extract it now and give it to you?>

[That would be great.]

Let's stop talking.

With such a revered person beside him, engaging in petty arguments would be unseemly.

"But... exactly what do you research about the Sage...?"

In truth, what Leonardo was most curious about was why such a person was called a Sage, but he didn't want to mock the graduate student's role model.

Sometimes, dreaming of illusions can be beautiful.

"Everything! We restore the history of the Sage and study the magic left behind by the Sage!"

[Oh, what a loss~ If only this person had come to the cave~]

Leonardo momentarily felt the urge to rip out his heart, but he couldn't be sure he would survive, so he gave up.

"The club members are just me and Rios, but we always welcome new members! Anyone who wants to study the Sage is welcome too!"

...Perhaps Leonardo also wanted to study the Sage, so he had the right to be welcomed.

"...Ah... I see. Thank you."

"I should be the one to thank you! I didn't expect you to be someone looking for the Sage's legacy like me!"

The legacy had been on his mind all along. He was more concerned about why the legacy existed, rather than where it was.

"The Sage's legacy... what exactly is it?"

"Hmm... are you asking about the essence? Returning to the basics might indeed help with the investigation."

That wasn't what he meant, but he was grateful for the positive misinterpretation.

"So, the Sage's legacy is a treasure that all the mages in the tower, including the tower master, want to find."

----------------

Long ago, when the tower had not yet established itself as a collective of mages, a Sage appeared.

At that time, the level of magic was so primitive that it could barely be described as the manipulation of mana, let alone swordsmanship.

The Sage, who appeared on the scene, taught the basics of various spells, including circle magic and the fundamentals of magical formulas, laying the foundation for the status of magic and the system of the tower.

Then, after many years, one day, the Sage announced that he would leave the tower.

All the mages, including the tower master, pleaded with him to stay, and feeling sorry for them, the Sage left behind his legacy with these words:

"I have hidden part of my knowledge in the tower. Those who are worthy will be able to receive it."

With that, the Sage left the tower.

For hundreds of years, mages searched the tower thoroughly but failed to find the treasure.

----------------

<...Really?>

Leonardo asked with genuine concern. If even one person had found it, it would have been a relief, but if not, the scope of possibilities would widen.

<Did he just lie to get out of the tower?>

Given the Sage's character, it was a reasonable suspicion.

[Oh... you mean that? Don't worry. It's real.]

A sigh of relief burst out like a gust of wind. If he had heard otherwise, Leonardo would have had to tell the pitiful graduate student a painful lie.

[‘I gave it to you to get rid of you, so eat it and go away.’ I didn't expect you to interpret it so grandly.]

He pretended not to hear the latter part. There was no such part, and it shouldn't be said. That was the duty and responsibility of a person.

"...Everyone else said it was a foolish act, but I still believe. I believe the Sage's legacy exists. That's why I came to the tower!!"

The Sage might have felt a bit guilty seeing that hopeful expression, as he broke out in a cold sweat.

<...Did you just leave some trash and call it a legacy?>

[...No. Probably...]

He pretended not to hear the latter part. He had to.

<...What exactly was it? How significant was it?>

If it was just a toy for children or a hastily scribbled note... that would be a big problem.

[It's the 'Black Stone' you're using, right? It's about that level... I hope it's okay...?]

<Hmm... That's fine, right?>

Despite his lack of confidence, it was more than enough.

In fact, he had been using the Black Stone for two years, and it hadn't worn out or changed shape, so it remained sharp.

<But what exactly was in it?>

[...Just some simple magical tools and a staff.]

The Sage calmly described the magical tools he had developed.

Hearing the description of those magical tools, Leonardo's mouth dropped open, and he could barely suppress a scream.

[...Why? It's not a big deal, right?]

<...What's not a big deal?! With those, most of the current problems could be solved!>

It was an objective fact, not flattery or exaggeration.

They were treasures that would make both him and the pitiful graduate student happy. The sheer brilliance of the mind that could develop such items and then forget about them was both astonishing and awe-inspiring.

[...Is that so? Now that I think about it, it is.]

<Let's find the ring first! That's the most important thing!>

[But these people are really stupid. How could they not find it for hundreds of years?]

It felt like the tower and its great mages were being disgraced, but he couldn't think of a rebuttal, so he didn't.

There was no point in arguing.

"…Hmm… Do you have any clues? I just want to see a little bit..."

"Of course! Fellow seekers of the Sage should help each other!!"

He had already found it, but this was the only help he could give to fellow seekers of the Sage.

"Here!! It's a notebook I organized!"

The wooden box he brought contained ten worn-out notebooks.

[...I feel really bad now.]

<It's too late for that.>

To atone for his mistake, Leonardo started reading the notebooks urgently.

[But if I tell you, you'll find it right away. Why make it so difficult?]

<Think about it. If I suddenly found it today, how would people react?>

Aside from the envy and jealousy, he could imagine how the graduate student would feel.

[...Oh... I see.]

<So, we need to do it this way.>

Leonardo quietly read the notebook for about 30 minutes, then spoke to the Sage again.

<Sage, where's the ring?>

[...You'll have to go and see. I only remember the structure, so if it's been remodeled, I can't pinpoint it.]

<That's enough.>

Leonardo recited a typical line from a mystery novel.

"I think I know."

"...Really?"

"Not entirely sure, but there are places to speculate."

"...Really... really?! Let's go!!"

"Yes, since it's just a guess, it's better to find it quickly."

Leonardo closed the notebook, held it in one hand, and walked out of the club room.

***

[Turn left, and go to the end of the corridor. There's a room there. It's in there.]

"Based on the clues, we should turn here. The Sage used to play chess secretly with the tower master in that room. Considering their relationship, it's likely to be here."

It was a rough patchwork of the nonsense and imagination written in the notebook, but finding treasures often proceeds in such a vague manner.

"Indeed... it could be... but... that's..."

Amelie pointed to the room at the end of the corridor with a bewildered expression. There was an unexpected sign on the door.

"...It's a bathroom?"

And it was a women's bathroom.

<...Sage... H... I knew you had that taste, but you didn't need to fulfill your desires in such a way...>

[No, it's not that. I told you, it's been remodeled. I didn't expect it to become a bathroom.]

Hoping his claim was true, Leonardo didn't press further.

"Then... let's go in."

"...Is it okay?"

"We're not doing anything bad, so there's no need to worry. Just check if anyone's there, and if someone comes, we can explain the situation."

Besides, it was unlikely that anyone would come to the bathroom at this late hour.

"It seems... no one is there..."

Fortunately, things went as planned. Leonardo, who had been waiting outside, walked into the bathroom.

"....But... there's nothing here... and I've already checked this place."

As she said, the women's bathroom only had the usual bathroom items. Considering the recent renovation, there was nothing that could be a clue.

[...Hmm... That's strange?]

<What's strange?>

[This used to be a large warehouse, but it's much smaller now.]

<...You don't mean... Sage, can you do it again this time?>

[Are you asking me to search a women's bathroom? Do you know who I am?]

...

......

..........

[Alright. Don't say a word.]

The silence seemed to work, as the Sage inserted his body into the bathroom wall.

[...Ugh... centipedes... Ah...! Found it! It's here!! On the front wall!]

At the Sage's cry, Leonardo drew his pitch-black sword and pointed it at the direction.

"Leonardo...?! Why...?!"

"Be careful. I'll try to be as gentle and quiet as possible, but it's dangerous if you touch it."

With that, he cut a square out of the wall. The sound of cement cracking echoed as the wall was cut and pushed away.

"...Wh... What...?!"

The space beyond the bathroom was empty. It wasn't very large, but it was big enough to hide something.

"It was here."

[Why did they fill this in? It makes it harder to find.]

Leonardo agreed, but the person who did this was already dead, so there was no point in arguing.

"...But where is the legacy...?"

While Amelie felt around the dark secret space, Leonardo, following the Sage's instructions, grabbed the wall.

[It's here. Press this spot.]

It was a cliché, but when he pressed the brick, a small box popped out with a click.

"Wh...?!"

"What?! How did that happen?"

[Isn't that overacting?]

What could he do? With the person who hid it right beside him, it was impossible not to act poorly.

"...This is the Sage's legacy...!"

The only audience's attention was on the box containing the legacy.

"...But how do we open it?"

[You need to solve a problem. A problem will appear soon.]

<Problem? Is it difficult?>

[...It's... ambiguous.]

With an uneasy answer, the group focused on the box.

[Well done for finding my legacy.]

A blue light emitted from the box, and a voice identical to the Sage's echoed. Fortunately, it was a solemn voice that met people's expectations.

Hearing that voice and tone, many aspiring young mages would shed tears.

"...Sage... Sage!!"

Amelie exclaimed, staring at the box in shock.

[I commend you for finding the Sage's legacy. That's impressive.]

"...I... Finally... I'm the first! I'm glad I became a mage...!"

The confirmation brought tears of a different kind to Amelie's eyes. Tears streamed down her dry eyes.

[But finding it is not enough to earn this.]

"...What? Then...?"

It was a strange situation, neither a one-way nor a two-way conversation.

In such cases, it's best to keep quiet.

[I will personally give you three problems. If you solve them, you can take it. Think carefully and solve them.]

At least it was fortunate.

With the person who created the problems right there, what was there to fear?

<...But what problems are they?>

[That's...]

At that moment, a blue light appeared, and text was displayed.

[1. Guess the Sage's favorite drink.]

<...That's it?>

Did mages really spend hundreds of years searching for this?

Well, it could be difficult, but the level of the problem was embarrassingly low.

<...I won't argue, but please tell me the answer.>

[Americano. I only drank that.]

It made him doubt the mages' level, but getting the answer right was more important.

[Shout the correct answer.]

"Correct! Americano!"

[Incorrect.]

"Wh...?"

Zzzz!!

Electricity surged, enveloping his body.

"Ahh!!"

"Leonardo!"

[If you get it wrong, you'll be punished, and you'll lose the chance to answer that question.]

Now he understood why no one could solve it. It meant that guessing or trying to guess was impossible.

<...Are you kidding me??>

[What... Why is this wrong? I only drank Americano! Really!!]

A sincere cry, but it only added to the confusion. If the person who created the problem didn't know, who would?

"...Could it be..."

After a moment of thought, Amelie answered again.

"Correct... Americano with a lot of water?"

An uncertain answer, and both Leonardo and the Sage looked doubtful.

[Correct!]

"Damn...! Are you kidding...!?"

It was impossible to guess such a thing.

Not only the person who sent the Sage away, but also figuring out that a person from hundreds of years ago liked Americano, and whether it was with extra shots or water...!

[...Oh, that's right...?]

Moreover, he seemed to have forgotten it himself.

<...Who could guess this??>

[There.]

The Sage pointed to the half-elf graduate student. Was there such a thing as a conscience?

"...How... did you guess...?"

Leonardo asked cautiously, feeling a sense of awe at the miraculous answer.

"...Well... I once read in a book that the Sage couldn't drink potions and had to dilute them with water. So I thought... just in case..."

It was a miracle to guess that. At this point, she was more than a fan; she was almost a religious follower.

Regardless, the quiz continued.

[2. State the Sage's allergy.]

This was easier than expected. Allergies are physical conditions, so they are harder to forget.

[Ah, I know this! Apple allergy!!]

"Correct!! Apple allergy!!"

Zzzz!!

The failure of the second question was clearly felt through the electric shock.

"Ugh... Why this time...?"

[...No, no, no!! This is real!! I'm not lying!]

"Correct...? Red apple allergy?"

[Correct!]

There was no energy left to argue. It was partly due to the electric shock, but mentally, he was exhausted from the frustration.

[This is the last question. Think carefully and solve it.]

"Carefully and... damn it!! Give a problem that can be solved by thinking!!"

Ignoring both the Sage beside him and the Sage in the box, he started his task.

[For whom did I create this magical tool?]

This time, he wouldn't rely on the Sage. This graduate student would somehow answer the bizarre question again.

"...Hmm... I... don't know..."

"Really?"

"Well... I don't know what this magical tool is, and there are many mages related to the Sage..."

It was understandable for her. In fact, it was a miracle that she had answered the first two questions correctly.

[...This time, I won't get it wrong... Just repeat what I say.]

<If you miss even one letter, I'll rip out your heart and replace it with an artificial one.>

[Alright. I understand. Please help me.]

...Ha... It's harder to refuse when asked like that.

"Correct."

He repeated the Sage's question and the Sage's answer.

[Kelly Davis Robin]

"Kelly Davis Robin."

[Correct.]

With that, the box opened.

Inside was a ring with a small gemstone.

"...This is... the Ring of Tranquility and Peace."

The first magical tool the Sage mentioned.

"Wearing this, you can control sleep, appetite, and sexual desire, and it can also treat toxins in the body. Come to think of it, Kelly Davis Robin is..."

She quickly opened her notebook to find the owner of the name, but Leonardo didn't need to.

[Kelly... was my friend. She had a chronic illness and had to take addictive medication. Without it, the pain was unbearable. So I made this...]

"Kelly Davis Robin passed away from drug addiction while the Sage was in the tower. So... this..."

The Sage