Chapter 72
Jeina walked briskly toward the Mage Tower’s library.
Although the library was located in the tower’s basement, the structure of the tower allowed sunlight to stream in. Thanks to this, a beautifully arranged garden decorated the library’s entrance.
“You could say it’s the landmark of the Mage Tower.”
Excited, Jeina chattered away as she walked.
“Even someone as small as me can pull books out with ease.”
She proudly demonstrated how the mysterious lights in the library moved books for her, as if showing off.
“That’s… impressive,” Seiden said, smiling outwardly, though inwardly he felt uneasy.
“So, how long do you usually spend in the library?”
“Hmm, often from morning until I fall asleep.”
Seiden’s expression stiffened at her words.
He glanced around. The library, of course, was magnificent enough to rival any other, but a stark, heavy atmosphere pervaded the entire space beyond its beauty.
The Mage Tower trained only the elite of the elite, so students were constantly subjected to exams, assignments, experiments, and research. Wizards had no choice but to compete to survive here.
That was why tension always hung in the library.
Seiden’s eyes darkened as he examined the pale eyes, trembling hands, and chapped lips of the wizards one by one.
“No wonder some wizard would appear, trying to use Jeina as an experimental subject.”
It was the kind of place where it wouldn’t be surprising if someone died at any moment. And if people did die, the rest would likely read their books without so much as a blink, thinking only of their own future.
“That obsession with truth, power, and reason…”
Even though Jeina loved reading, constantly being exposed to such an environment was unhealthy.
“How can you trust wizards who care only about research?”
Seiden coldly scanned the library with his ice-cold gaze.
“Spending all day here… she’s probably left to her own devices. This is practically neglect.”
Unaware of Seiden’s serious worry, Jeina was already thinking of the next place to show him. Passing by her, Seiden asked casually,
“You used to stay in a storage room, didn’t you?”
“You heard from Princess Elia? Yes, that’s right. But later, it was magically modified, so it wasn’t uncomfortable at all. In fact, it was cozy and nice.”
Jeina added that it was called a storage room in name only—but the fact remained that she had breathed musty air while living there.
“That bastard Diamid…”
As Seiden muttered curses under his breath, a cat’s meow echoed from somewhere.
“Meow.”
“Ah! Isren.”
True to being a summoner, Seiden immediately recognized that the cat in front of him was no ordinary cat.
Poof!
Perhaps because the hallway was empty, Isren transformed into human form right away.
“Hello, Jeina.”
“Seiden, this is my bodyguard, Isren. Isren, this is Seiden, my mother’s former comrade.”
A bodyguard, then. Jeina must spend a lot of time with him.
“I’ll step away for a moment.”
Seiden took the chance to speak with Isren while Jeina went to the restroom.
“I’m curious how Jeina’s doing. From your perspective, is she being treated fairly? Has she faced any injustice?”
“Injustice…?”
Isren’s expression turned serious.
“The teacher hit Jeina. She didn’t do anything wrong.”
“What?”
“But Jeina told me not to tell anyone.”
Seiden’s face hardened as he listened to Jeina’s story of enduring violence alone out of fear of the harpsichord teacher returning.
Later, when Jeina showed him the final spot—the monstrous flower field—Seiden could not hide his shock.
“Isn’t it cute?”
The so-called “cute” monstrous flowers were several times Jeina’s height. Seiden, an adult man, had to crane his neck just to see the top…
“…How many meters is this?”
“I’m not sure either.”
Seiden watched silently as the monstrous flowers writhed and struggled to reach the sky.
“At least some normal creatures survive here… the birds’ sounds bring peace to the heart…”
“Haah!”
But at that moment, one monstrous flower devoured a bird in a single gulp. Jeina covered her mouth, murmuring in awe.
“Oh, the bird got eaten.”
“…Aren’t you bothered?”
“It’s nature’s way.”
“No, nature doesn’t have flowers like that.”
This was unacceptable.
This was really unacceptable.
The education of this child was at stake! Seiden’s face hardened. Without hesitation, he shouted as soon as Diamid arrived.
“I’ll take that child as my adoptive daughter!”
Diamid had been returning from business outside. Hearing that Seiden had visited the Mage Tower after a long time, he was curious about what was going on.
Then…
“I’ll take that child as my adoptive daughter!”
Instantly, Diamid’s mind went blank.
Always rational, he could not utter a word, only moving his lips. All his learned knowledge and skills seemed useless at that moment.
“He’s going to take the child…?”
Before Diamid could respond, Seiden continued.
“I heard you didn’t even acknowledge Jeina as your daughter. From the moment she first arrived at the Mage Tower at age ten, for three whole years.”
“…What are you trying to say?”
“What you’re doing is child abuse. Neglect. Don’t you know that indifference is the opposite of love?”
Seiden glared at Diamid with eyes full of contempt.
His old comrade, who had always calculated everything for efficiency, had clearly abandoned his own daughter.
“If left like this, might she be used as an experimental subject, or for some twisted purpose…?”
Seiden sharpened his gaze to match Diamid’s presence.
“Even if Bezricha betrayed you, the child is innocent.”
“…What gives you the right to say that?”
“Bezricha saved my life multiple times on the battlefield. To you, she may be the enemy’s daughter, but to me, she is the daughter of a benefactor.”
Seiden added with exasperation:
“I honestly didn’t expect you to be this much of a trash, Diamid.”
Seiden’s words stabbed at Diamid’s heart, each one painfully accurate.
Diamid was always known as calm and logical. He could maintain composure in any debate and never lost in reasoning.
But now, at this very moment, he could not utter a single word.
“Why can’t I say anything?”
Seeing Diamid clench his lips, Seiden snorted.
“If you have nothing to say, I’ll give you a choice: send her to me, or send her to someone else.”
“…!”
“Honestly, I’m not ready to raise her myself. But at least I can help her grow under a better guardian than you.”
“….”
Diamid could not protest and quietly left. He did not teleport back to his room as usual, but instead walked in the nearby garden to clear his mind.
Then, he spotted Jeina walking from the opposite direction.
“…!”
Instinctively, Diamid hid behind a pillar, not knowing why he acted that way. His body moved on its own.
“Seiden.”
Jeina approached Seiden directly, seemingly unaware of Diamid.
Seiden, however, noticed Diamid hiding behind the pillar.
“Yes, Jeina…”
While talking to Jeina, he did not take his eyes off Diamid. Finally, facing Jeina, Seiden looked into her eyes and asked,
“…So, have you considered my proposal to come with me?”
“That is…”
“To be honest, I’d like you to come with me.”
Though he hadn’t intended to eavesdrop, Diamid could hear the conversation. His shoulders tensed.
“This may sound presumptuous, but I’m considered one of the foremost summoners. I can fulfill most of what you desire.”
Even Diamid thought it sounded sweet. It seemed better than being treated like a burden at the Mage Tower with no status.
“I haven’t won Jeina’s heart yet…”
Lately, Jeina had been avoiding him. It was clear she was uncomfortable even facing him.
Should he allow her to remain at the Mage Tower? Was this truly a happy place for her?
“I can also help arrange for someone else to adopt her, if you wish. Of course, I’ll make sure to be meticulous about whether that person is suitable.”
Was he really going to let Jeina go like this?
“I haven’t done anything for her yet… all I’ve done is speak harsh words…”
Diamid lowered his head without realizing it. How he wished he could turn back time.
“If I could, from the moment she arrived, I would have said she was my daughter and held her…”
It was natural that Jeina kept her distance. But, just a little… could he not be allowed to atone by staying close? Just a little… could he not be allowed to approach?
Unable to bear hearing her answer, Diamid closed his eyes and gritted his teeth.
Then…
“It’s okay. The Mage Tower master treats me well.”
“What?”
“He gave me a luxurious room…”
Jeina listed all the ways the Mage Tower master had treated her well to Seiden. There was not a trace of resentment on her face.
“Most importantly, when I collapsed due to my allergies, he saved me.”
“She… must have thought well of me? Not as her father, but still…”
Diamid could only stare at Jeina in stunned silence.
