The Return of The Mythical Archmage [EN]: Chapter 186

About five minutes passed, and we arrived at the Blue Magic Tower.

“The Tower Lord is still in his workshop, I’m told. I apologize,” Secretary Jung Soo-ah said, as if swallowing something.

She was probably swallowing her anger.

“Please wait a moment. I’ll go get him right away… no, I’ll escort him here.”

Did she almost say ‘go get him’?

“Yes. You can take your time.”

“No. I heard you have a party this afternoon. I’ll prepare as quickly as possible so that it doesn’t affect your schedule.”

Secretary Jung Soo-ah bowed her head and turned to the central elevator.

Then, using the card around her neck and a mana signal, she deactivated the security.

She took the elevator straight up.

Kim Kang-in was said to be working in his workshop, so she must have gone there.

I could picture Kim Kang-in being nagged by Secretary Jung Soo-ah.

“Would you like some tea?”

A lobby employee approached the three of us, who were standing there blankly.

“No, thank you. I think he’ll be here soon.”

“…Haha. Yes.”

The employee gave a wry smile.

This employee seemed to be imagining the Blue Magic Tower Lord being dragged here by Secretary Jung Soo-ah, just like I was.

“Ah, then at least please sit and wait over here.”

“Yes, we will.”

We moved to the guest seats the employee pointed to and sat down.

“Whew. I’m nervous. This is a place that not just anyone can enter, right?”

“You can come in here if you try. It’s the lobby, after all.”

“Oh, is that so?”

The security of almost all magic towers, including the Blue Magic Tower, is located at the elevator, not the entrance.

The lobby is accessible to anyone who wants to enter.

Well, unless you have a good reason, you’d probably be kicked out soon enough.

“Whew. Whatever it is, I’m really nervous.”

“Why are you so nervous? Just think of it as meeting a friendly neighborhood older brother.”

“…You can really think like that.”

Soonchan chuckled and got up from his seat.

“I’m going to the restroom for a bit.”

“Okay. Go ahead.”

I gestured vaguely in the direction of the restroom.

As if he understood my signal, Soonchan replied with a small ‘thank you’ and moved away.

“Tsk. That scaredy-cat. I don’t know how he managed to endure between his father and the Blue Magic Tower Lord last time.”

I heard that the last time, when Soonchan was trying to get recognized by Kim Kang-in, he was stuck between his father and Kim Kang-in while watching the match against the 5-circle mage from the Blue Magic Tower.

How did he endure it back then?

He’s like this now, so back then, wasn’t he practically fainting with his eyes open?

“He was sweating buckets back then too.”

“Oh, really? He was a real scaredy-cat.”

“Yes. He seems to be a bit timid. It’s not a big problem since he’s not like that in battle.”

“That’s a relief, at least.”

In battle, you can’t find even a trace of timidity.

That’s Soonchan.

‘No, come to think of it, is Soonchan’s reaction the norm?’

To enter a Color Magic Tower is the dream of almost every mage.

Isn’t Soonchan’s reaction the more common one?

Maybe Adela and I are the strange ones.

That thought crossed my mind.

Well, it seems like it might be true.

I don’t know.

“Ah, more importantly, Adela. About what we were talking about earlier.”

While I was thinking that, I suddenly remembered the conversation I had with Adela via text earlier.

“What we were talking about earlier… about the magic you used at lunch yesterday?”

“Yeah.”

I glanced at the lobby employee.

He didn’t seem to be interested in our conversation at all.

Besides, we were a bit far apart.

He wouldn’t hear us unless we spoke loudly.

“That. How did you notice it?”

“How do you mean?”

Adela tilted her head, looking like she couldn’t understand.

She just felt it, so she said she felt it, but how could she ask how she felt it?

I didn’t know how to answer.

That was the expression she had.

To put it in perspective, she had the same expression as Jang Geum [a famous historical figure known for her keen sense of taste] when asked why a persimmon tastes like a persimmon.

I could tell from that expression.

Adela just felt it naturally.

Regardless of whether Shadow’s shadow was special or not, she could just feel it without any difficulty.

‘How?’

Shadow’s shadow.

Mimir called it Umbra’s shadow, a power specialized in concealing itself.

You can tell how excellent its stealth is just by looking at the barrier of the Obelisk Academy dormitory.

It’s a magic so secretive that even the barrier of the Obelisk Academy, which is famous for detecting any magic 100%, couldn’t notice it at all.

That’s Umbra’s shadow.

How on earth did Adela detect such a secretive magic?

‘Is it because of the Grace of God?’

Could it be that the Grace of God has raised Adela’s senses to a level that transcends common sense?

Among the hypotheses we could make, it was the most plausible one.

‘If it’s the Grace of God, it’s not impossible.’

The ultimate elixir that pushes a mage’s talent to the limit.

Since Adela absorbed 100% of such an elixir, it wouldn’t be impossible for her to sense Umbra’s shadow.

“…There’s something about that magic.”

Adela’s eyes sharpened.

She seemed to have caught on to something from my serious expression.

“Is there something wrong? I did think that I felt a strange energy that wasn’t like you…”

“You could even feel that?”

“Yes. It’s like I couldn’t feel your scent… I got a strangely different… feeling.”

“…”

She could even feel that.

“So I was going to go check it out, but…”

“The magic disappeared right then.”

“Yes. So I just thought you were trying out some new magic.”

Adela’s eyes sparkled.

“Judging by your reaction, there must be something about that magic.”

She had the expression of a detective who had found evidence.

“That dark magic… no, should I call it shadow magic?”

She completely caught even the subtle sensation of ‘shadow’.

It seems Adela’s senses are much more outstanding than I thought.

“Is there something wrong with that magic?”

“…”

Adela stared straight into my eyes. Sincere eyes.

Her radiant gaze was filled with trust for me.

I didn’t want to lie in front of those eyes.

“Sorry. I can’t tell you about this one, Adela.”

So, I just honestly answered that it was a problem I couldn’t answer.

“…I see. Then I won’t ask any further.”

Adela smiled faintly, looking a bit disappointed.

“Sorry. I know you’re curious.”

“It would be a lie to say I’m not curious… but it’s okay. Everyone has secrets they can’t tell.”

She was making an expression that said she was curious, but she didn’t have a habit of prying into other people’s secrets.

“Then… should we keep this matter confidential?”

“Yeah. Please.”

Adela smiled faintly.

“Yes. I’ll keep it in my heart.”

Looking at Adela, I thought to myself.

‘I really have a good friend.’

* * *

After that.

The tea party that lasted about two hours ended.

“Then we’ll be going now.”

“Yes. Thank you both for making the time.”

Why did I say ‘both’ instead of ‘three’? Because only Adela and I were leaving the Blue Magic Tower.

“We’ll take care of escorting Soonchan to the party on time, so you don’t have to worry too much.”

Soonchan was staying here a bit longer.

“No. You don’t have to send him at all.”

“Haha. How can we do that? You made an appointment in advance. We have to send him.”

“No, no. It’s really okay. I think everyone will understand.”

I chuckled as I looked at Soonchan, who was standing next to the Blue Magic Tower Lord with a blank expression.

“It’s not just anything. It’s a sponsorship contract with the Blue Magic Tower. Who would say anything?”

Today, Soonchan signed a promising talent sponsorship contract with the Blue Magic Tower.

The contract condition was to be affiliated with the Blue Magic Tower after graduation.

In return, Soonchan would receive the backing of the Blue Magic Tower until graduation.

“…Me, a mage affiliated with the Blue Magic Tower? Is this a dream?”

Intermittent chuckles.

Blurred eyes.

Monologues at a level that would make you suspect autism.

Anyone who saw him would think he was mentally ill.

“Hey. Get a grip. If you keep showing that kind of face, the Blue Magic Tower Lord might tear up the contract.”

“Hut. Th-that can’t happen. Um. It can’t happen. I need to get a grip.”

Soonchan widened his eyes and slapped his cheeks hard with both hands.

*Slap!* The sound rang out clearly.

…That must really hurt.

“Crap. That really hurts…”

“You idiot.”

Soonchan, holding his red cheek, muttered curses.

I shook my head at Soonchan.

“He’s such an idiot… are you really okay with him?”

“Haha. Of course. I like his innocent side very much.”

The Blue Magic Tower Lord put his hand on Soonchan’s shoulder and smiled.

“Please take good care of me in the future.”

Soonchan’s shoulder twitched.

“No, since we’re family now, I’ll speak comfortably. Please take care of me, Soonchan.”

His body stiffened instantly.

“Yes! I will!”

He was like a private first class who was fully disciplined.

I couldn’t help but laugh at that sight. Was he that happy?

“Then we’ll really be going now.”

“Yes. See you again.”

The Blue Magic Tower Lord waved his hand slightly.

“Soonchan. See you later. Do well with the contract. Well, I don’t think the Blue Magic Tower Lord would put in any toxic clauses, but it’s never bad to be careful.”

“Haha. Do you usually say that while the person is listening?”

“There’s no reason why I can’t, is there?”

“Hahaha! That’s true!”

Kim Kang-in laughed as if he was in the best mood.

“Goodbye.”

“Yes. Goodbye, Miss Adela. See you again.”

“Yes.”

After Adela finished her greetings as well.

We left the Blue Magic Tower.

* * *

About 20 minutes passed.

Adela and I arrived at the party venue first.

Our seniors and instructors hadn’t arrived yet.

Since Adela and I came an hour early for a preliminary check, it was natural that no one else was there.

“…It’s really big, isn’t it?”

“I was going to rent a smaller place, but I just went with this one. If we’re going to have a party, I wanted to have it in the best place.”

A huge and luxurious party venue.

Waiters and waitresses were busy setting up the food.

It seemed like it was worth the high price.

Everyone was focused on their work, which was very nice to see.

“Ah, please set up the alcohol only over there.”

“Yes, I understand.”

This time, the alcohol was set up separately to prevent the same thing from happening as last time. Even if they tried to drink it, they could, but I guess there would be some self-regulation.

“Do you have any additional instructions?”

The waiter, who had finished setting up the liquor, approached me, smiling brightly.

His clean smile and actions conveyed professionalism.

“There’s nothing else. It’s perfect.”

“Perfect? You flatter me.”

It wasn’t just empty words, I really had nothing else to say.

This party venue was already perfect.

I wondered if there was any need to come an hour early, there was nothing to say.

“Then I’ll go back to my position. Please call me if you need anything else.”

“Yes. Thank you for your hard work.”

The waiter bowed his head and disappeared.

“It’s chaotic, so let’s go outside until the other seniors arrive.”

If we stayed, the staff would just be more conscious of us.

Considering the efficiency of their work, it was better for us to leave.

“Yes.”

Adela and I left the party venue and headed outside the building.

‘Ah.’

And at that moment.

I encountered an unexpected person.

‘…Captain Charles?’

He was hiding his presence, but I could clearly see him.

That rough aura, like a wild beast.

It was definitely him.

It was Captain Charles.

‘What’s going on without any contact?’

He wasn’t at the dormitory. If he came all the way to this party venue, it must be something important.

‘Whatever it is, I need to make a place for us to talk.’

I turned my gaze to Adela.

“Adela. I’m sorry, but I need to go somewhere for a bit…”

I was about to say that I had to go somewhere alone.

“…Shh. It’s an assassin.”

About a dozen gray light spheres floated around Adela.

The gray light spheres shone with a strong will to tear the enemy in front of her to shreds.

“Show yourself. I know you’re there.”

From the center of the gray light, Adela’s eyes shone sharply.

The aura of Captain Charles, which was only visible to me, fluctuated wildly with confusion and bewilderment.