Episode 4
“Hello, little flowers?”
A day had passed, and when I visited the Mage Tower again, it somehow felt different.
Small flowers I hadn’t noticed yesterday now caught my eye, and instead of the heavy, intimidating atmosphere, the place felt full of bright spring air.
“Hello, crows!”
Even the crows glaring at me from the trees looked kind of cute.
Is it because my mindset has changed? Life really is amazing!
Even though the Mage Tower was a place that struck fear into many people, to me it now felt almost like a sacred temple.
Knock, knock.
I knocked on the door, and after a moment, it opened.
“Ha… damn it.”
The one who opened the door was—of course—Kaiden.
He looked completely out of place in the bright morning sunlight, his face twisted into a deep scowl.
“You came again? You clearly promised yesterday that you wouldn’t!”
Kaiden looked genuinely wronged.
No—if anyone should feel wronged, it was me.
“Well, it’s not that—”
I tried to explain what had happened yesterday, but he cut me off.
“He didn’t meet you, did he? I knew it. He’s an incredibly important person, after all.”
“No, wait—”
“What could you possibly have to say to him that you’d come all this way? You don’t even look like you can use magic at all.”
Kaiden scanned me from head to toe with his dull gray eyes.
Sure, I had annoyed him and even made a ridiculous threat yesterday—but that didn’t mean I deserved this look.
“Mr. Kaiden. I met the great Archmage Dante safely yesterday. And it’s all thanks to you letting me inside.”
“…What? You met him?”
For the first time, Kaiden’s eyes widened in shock.
I was so used to seeing his sour, constipated expression that this reaction felt strangely refreshing.
“Yes. And I have an appointment to see him again today. So could you please step aside?”
“You even made an appointment?!”
Kaiden shouted so loudly it felt like the Mage Tower might collapse.
The nearby crows flew off, startled, and a few mages peeked out to see what the noise was about.
“Yes. He’s probably waiting for me anxiously right now. I should go in before I’m late.”
I walked past Kaiden, who stood there gaping like he’d lost his soul, and entered the tower.
Inside, it was just as messy as yesterday—magic books and experiment tools scattered everywhere.
I headed straight for the stairs leading down to the basement.
That’s when Kaiden hurried after me.
“W-Wait a second!”
“You scared me! What’s going on? Do you not trust me?”
“No, that’s not it, it’s just…”
Then what was it?
And for some reason, his usually lifeless gray eyes were sparkling.
That made me uncomfortable.
“Actually… I’m a fan of Archmage Dante.”
“…Excuse me?”
I seriously thought I’d misheard.
Tilting my head, I stared at Kaiden. As if to prove I’d heard correctly, his face turned red in embarrassment.
I really hadn’t wanted to know this.
“Ah… a fan. Well… that happens, I guess.”
“Archmage Dante is my idol! His dignified presence, the way he devotes himself to research every single day—it’s incredible! And he’s a candidate for the youngest Mage Tower Master ever! Isn’t that amazing?”
Youngest Mage Tower Master candidate? Not even the actual master yet?
I wanted to point that out, but Kaiden was already lost in his own world.
“So please! Let me meet Archmage Dante too!”
“Me?”
“You’re going to see him right now, aren’t you? Even if it’s just for the moment the door opens, please take me with you!”
His sincerity was overwhelming.
I couldn’t bring myself to say no, so I nodded.
Kaiden beamed and grabbed my hand tightly.
“Thank you! Thank you so much!”
Feeling awkward, I smiled and gently pulled my hand away.
“Um… shall we go then?”
Walking down to the basement with Kaiden felt strangely long.
He kept muttering to himself, imagining his meeting with Dante.
After many twists and turns, we finally reached Dante’s door.
I quickly knocked.
“Archmage, it’s me.”
There was movement inside—but no response, and the door stayed shut.
Did he forget I was coming?
Feeling anxious, I knocked again.
“Archmage! You told me to come today!”
Then his voice came from the other side.
“Yes.”
…Yes? That’s it? Aren’t you supposed to open the door?!
I wanted to say that—but I didn’t have the nerve.
“Haha… are you not opening the door?”
Tick. Tock.
It was so quiet that I could hear the second hand of the pocket watch in Kaiden’s pocket.
Only after a long pause did Dante reply.
“Please send that person away.”
“Excuse me? Who?”
“The person who came with you.”
Did he mean Kaiden?
“You mean this person here? Mr. Kaiden?”
“…Yes.”
I turned to look at Kaiden.
He’d heard everything.
His face—once filled with excitement—collapsed as if hit by a tidal wave, looking like he might cry at any moment.
And now I had to deliver the final blow.
“He says you have to go.”
It wasn’t hard to say.
“That can’t be…”
Kaiden looked even more crushed.
Still, not wanting to anger his idol, he turned and started climbing back up the stairs.
He looked back several times, full of regret, but left without another word.
I didn’t exactly feel bad for him—but I did feel a little sorry.
Once he disappeared completely, I knocked again.
“Archmage. I’m alone now.”
The door opened, and Dante appeared.
He only opened it wide enough for one person.
“Please, come in.”
The moment I stepped inside, he slammed the door shut.
Even after that, he didn’t seem to relax his guard.
I asked carefully,
“Why are you so cautious? Are there secret Mage Tower documents in here or something?”
Since he was a top candidate for the next Mage Tower Master, it seemed possible.
But his answer was… disappointing.
“I dislike people.”
“…Pardon?”
“I find facing others utterly unbearable.”
Unbelievable.
The mysterious future Mage Tower Master—the great Archmage—was just a hardcore recluse.
Hard to believe, but his expression looked calmer than ever.
“Then what about me? Am I okay?”
“…You have something you want.”
The pause before his answer made it clear—I was not okay.
For the first time, I felt grateful that my magic was ancient magic.
If it had been something mediocre, I wouldn’t even be standing here.
“Oh, are you going to teach me about magic control today?”
Let’s change the subject. This wasn’t going anywhere good.
After silently staring at me, Dante suddenly started moving.
He walked along the surrounding bookshelves, stacking several thick books in his arms.
Then he came back toward me.
Why—why is he coming over here with all that?!
My bad feeling was spot on.
He confidently shoved the pile of books toward me.
“Take them.”
Is he insane?!
“These? Me?”
“Yes. I chose them for you.”
I appreciated the thought—but was he serious?
If I took all these heavy books, I’d probably lose thirty stamina instantly.
I really wish I had a status window right now…
In the end, I took the books from his arms one by one and placed them on the floor.
They were so many and so thick that the pile rose past my knees.
“You’re not saying I have to read all of these, right?”
“That’s correct.”
“Oh my god…”
“These are merely basic magic textbooks. I selected ones that explain magic control in detail, so they should be manageable.”
This is basic?
And I have to read all of them?
“No way!”
“I thought you’d explain it briefly.”
“That is possible. However, magic cannot be learned that way. You must understand it with your mind and feel it with your heart to truly use magic.”
“But—”
“Please read these by tomorrow and gain an understanding of magic control. That will be all for today.”
By tomorrow?! How was I supposed to read and understand all this?!
Since they were too heavy to carry, I was about to ask if I could take just one book—but Dante spoke first.
“They’re heavy, so I’ll have them loaded into your carriage.”
Before I could even ask what he meant, Dante snapped his fingers.
Snap!
The towering pile of books vanished in an instant.
It was the first real magic I had ever seen in my four lives.
That was so cool…
In the end, I returned to the mansion in my carriage—along with countless books.
Later that night.
“Miss, it’s getting late. Your eyes will go bad if you keep that up.”
Lise, who was fixing the bedding, scolded me as she saw me still reading the book Dante gave me.
I hadn’t planned to stay up this late.
I’d just meant to skim a few pages and then ask Dante to summarize tomorrow.
Really.
But it was way more interesting than I’d expected.
So much so that I lost track of time.
“I guess you’re right. It’s already night.”
Only then did my eyes start to ache, and a yawn escaped.
After stretching, I placed a bookmark where I’d stopped and closed the book.
“Good night, Miss.”
Lise quietly closed the door behind her, and silence filled the room.
As soon as I lay down and closed my eyes, sleep crept in.
Still… I can’t keep sneaking out while watching Eden’s mood every day. Is there a natural way to leave the duke’s house? I should test the waters with Eden tomorrow.
