Chapter 46

EP.46 Tower of Magic - 8

“...Ah...”

Leonardo woke up, stretching as if he were waking up in the morning.

[What happened this time? You were groaning a lot?]

The Sage in front of him seemed to have returned to reality just fine.

<...That... It was definitely...>

He clearly remembered entering the dream, but the events afterward were hazy and indistinct, like a fog.

The more he tried to recall, the thicker the fog of memory became, and the more he tried to think, the more his head ached.

[If you can't remember, it's better not to think about it. Most people forget their own dreams in two minutes, let alone someone else's.]

That was true. It would be better not to remember, especially since Aria's personal matters were likely mixed in.

“...What about Aria? How is she?”

More important than anything was Aria's safety. If Aria herself was not safe, the entire operation would be meaningless.

“Ariasfil has already woken up. Over there...”

Ariasfil was already up, organizing the book that had been used as a container.

“Ah, you’re awake? Leo.”

Ariasfil smiled brightly at Leonardo, not looking like someone who had suffered from a nightmare.

[...Why is she so cheerful? Don’t you have any idea at all?]

<Well... Maybe it’s because she woke up safely from the dream...>

It was a weak guess, but with his hazy memory, that was all he could think of.

“...Leo.”

Ariasfil brushed her hair behind her ear and wiped Leonardo’s lips with her hand.

“There was something on your lips.”

After saying that, she gave a seductive smile and continued organizing the books.

...

.....

.........

[You’re...]

<Shut up.>

It was just a physiological reaction that happened when you woke up from sleep. It had to be that way.

***

First, they decided to pause the search for the Sage’s legacy.

They had gathered all the necessary legacies, and there was an opinion that it could be dangerous to continue as before, so they decided to postpone the search for the legacy.

During this time, Leonardo would do what he needed to do, and Aria would do what she needed to do.

[But where are you going to report it? To the Tower Master?]

Looking at the gathered evidence, the Sage asked with a frown. The crimes committed so far were so severe that even the Sage didn’t make jokes or curse.

<No. If I report to the Tower Masters, even if the evidence proves it, the rich and powerful will get off with a light punishment.>

If Leonardo reported it himself, he might end up silencing his own mouth.

[Well... The top brass aren’t omnipotent, and they have more constraints. So what will you do? Put up posters?]

<No. I won’t do that.>

The Sage, who couldn’t understand this mysterious statement, asked again.

[Then what? Who will do it for you?]

<Oh, it’s you, Sage.>

[What do you mean by that? So what will you do?]

<The stage is already set, and the rest of them will self-destruct on their own.>

Leonardo smiled and held up the evidence he had gathered.

[Why are there two?]

<They are copies.>

More precisely, they were copies made with a printing magic tool, which had no legal effect.

<I’ve distributed these copies to some mages.>

[Some? Wouldn’t it be better to send them to the newspaper?]

<Have the media ever been on our side?>

He felt like assassinating all the newspaper reporters with physical jokes.

<Just watch. Once the announcement is made, they’ll kill each other.>

[Yeah. Well... I’m curious too. I wonder how the kids will react.]

With that, Leonardo nodded and walked to the Sage’s research lab.

“Ameri!”

“A, Leonardo!”

Ameri Esp was sitting in the lab, dressed neatly and energetically that day.

The dark circles under her eyes were gone, her skin was smooth and moist, and her hair was neatly tied and combed.

[Does a legacy change a person so much?]

<She probably put on makeup.>

[That could be it too, right?]

It was an unfamiliar neat appearance, but in this shabby club room, there was no one else but Ameri.

“Is it really okay to gather here? The Tower Masters...”

“The legacy was found by us, and the shabby space was provided by the Tower for the Sage’s research lab. We have nothing to be ashamed of or to apologize for.”

For a graduate student like her, it might feel like each point was being deducted from her grades. But if she continued to be so submissive, she wouldn’t graduate, let alone have a career.

“...But...”

At that moment, the shabby door opened again, and the giants of the magic world walked in one by one.

“Quite shabby.”

Black Tower Master Bernan Verden.

“Do we really have to gather in such a place?”

Grand Mage Aspi Illinan of the White Tower,

“Is it really the Sage’s legacy?”

Blua Blanc, the manager of the top floor of the Blue Tower,

“Just wait and see!”

Red Tower Master and combat mage Jean Narsha.

The four pillars of the current magic world entered the club room of the Sage’s research lab. The air instantly became heavy, and the density of mana thickened.

“...So... shall we have some tea...”

“No, it’s fine. Since it’s business, let’s get straight to the point.”

Ameri, who was not given any leeway, immediately became intimidated.

“The main point... Is this what you mean?”

Leonardo calmly picked up the ‘Necklace of Truth and Fact’ from his neck.

Naturally, the Grand Mages’ gazes focused on the Sage’s necklace.

“Is it real...?”

“...It’s real.”

“Even if it is...”

“Just check it!”

The Red Tower Master was the first to step forward.

“I’m a man!”

It might sound silly, but the easiest way to test truth and falsehood was with a simple question.

Zing

A red flash of light came from the necklace’s eyes.

“Oh~ Then it’s a lie. I’m a woman!”

The red light disappeared with that explanation.

“Oh, it seems to be genuine. The technology is something that modern magic can’t reproduce!”

The Red Tower Master’s test made the other Tower Masters lower their guard about the Sage’s legacy. The lie-detection function of the necklace they were holding must have played a significant role.

“...So, I’d like to hear how you obtained it.”

“The circumstances are as stated in the report.”

“This one?”

The Black Tower Master held out the submitted report.

“To summarize... Based on the materials collected by Ameri, Leonardo deduced and found two of the Sage’s legacies that had been shrouded in mystery for hundreds of years... Do you expect us to believe this?”

But they still had their doubts. The circumstances of obtaining it and the method of passing the test were stories that couldn’t be believed by normal people.

“If you can’t trust this, there’s nothing we can do.”

Holding up the necklace, Leonardo spoke. It wasn’t just about obtaining the legacy; it also served to remind them of the necklace’s capabilities.

“...Well, if it’s the necklace, I have no choice but to believe it.”

“Then, let’s move on to the next topic: the disposal of the legacies!”

At that, the Tower Masters revealed their desires in their eyes. As mages, they couldn’t help but recognize the value of these legacies.

“There’s no need to think about it. Ameri is a student of the Black Tower, and the Sage’s legacy is in the field of magic tools, which is the Black Tower’s specialty. Considering that...”

The White Tower Master cut off the Black Tower Master.

“Isn’t that a flawed premise? The Black Tower’s expertise in magic tools and the Sage’s legacy are separate issues.”

The Blue Tower Master supported her to check the Black Tower Master’s advantage.

“Isn’t it a desecration of the Sage and the students to give the legacy to a Black Tower student? Am I mistaken?”

“I want to maintain neutrality, but I can’t agree with the Black Tower Master!”

While expressing their opinions, they subtly glanced at the necklace. The necklace’s eyes had not yet emitted any light.

[It seems they’ve already found a way to counter it?]

<They didn’t get to the top of the Tower of Intrigue for nothing.>

Most of their statements were based on speculation and opinions, where the concepts of truth and fact were ambiguous, making it impossible to detect lies.

“Let’s calm down. We also have the right to express our opinions.”

With that, the Tower Masters of intrigue tried to suppress Leonardo with their presence and authority.

But to Leonardo, who had been hardened by all kinds of fear, it was meaningless.

“Go on, speak.”

“To the point.”

Now the tables would turn.

“We have no intention of transferring the Sage’s legacy.”

The sense of pressure returned, and the graduate student next to him was already showing dark circles under her makeup from being overwhelmed.

“Why not?”

But he couldn’t back down here.

“Originally, the Sage’s legacy was hidden in the Tower with the condition that only those qualified could possess it, right?”

None of them could easily refute this. The Sage’s status, which had been diminished by his own actions, was now clearly recognized.

“Given that, our possession of it is entirely reasonable.”

And Ameri couldn’t remove the ring’s side effects, which made the argument even more logical.

“But I think the concerns of the Tower Masters should also be considered.”

Leonardo took off the necklace and placed it on the table.

“Therefore, I have a proposal.”

The initiative in the negotiation was already in Leonardo’s hands.

***

[Is it really okay to do that?]

Looking at Leonardo’s neck without the necklace, the Sage asked, not understanding.

<It’s fine. It works, so I did it.>

The necklace was decided to be entrusted to the Tower.

Of course, the explicit owner was still Leonardo, and entrusting it to the Tower was in the form of a renewable temporary loan.

[It’s just a shell, and it’s questionable to call it an owner... Besides, you didn’t gain much.]

<This is quite good.>

What Leonardo held was the 《Special Magic Permit》.

It was more useful than even the Intermediate and Advanced Magic Permits, so it wasn’t a loss.

<To develop unique magic, you need to get permission for each one. It’s better to get it now.>

[...Well... I’ll teach you the method, but...]

The Sage pointed to the room in front of him. The necklace that Leonardo had lent was inside.

[...Do you really need to make such a small exhibition room? It would be better to donate it to a museum.]

<Actually, that’s the main purpose.>

[What?]

Leonardo hummed a tune and checked the names on the reservation list.

“That Pedo kid is there... the embezzler... and the rest are doing well too.”

[...What? What’s going on?]

The Sage also looked over the reservation list.

<I told you I distributed copies of the evidence to some mages.>

[You did, but you said not to the Tower Master.]

<Exactly. About 90% of the mages here will do it for me.>

Leonardo showed the list as he flipped through it. As the pages turned, the Sage’s eyes, which had been passive, came to life.

[...Wh... What? Did you...]

<Garbage always catches garbage well. They know themselves best.>

The recipients of the copies included the people listed and those in adversarial situations with them.

<From patent competition to professorships, papers, rankings, and factional fights. I only selected those who can’t help but fight with those scumbags.>

They would naturally be suspicious. They couldn’t use the evidence immediately, and they would suspect it was a trap.

But it didn’t matter. He had the absolute weapon ready.

[But they’re just copies. They have no legal effect...]

Leonardo smiled and pointed to the small room.

<What do you think this is?>

[...W...O...W... I got goosebumps for a moment.]

That room would now be the Room of Truth.

From now on, they would kill each other.

<+--|-|--+>