Episode 54
Evil (1)
The interiEvil f the building was bustling with activity. Dozens of people moved about, carrying stacks of documents or trays filled with bottles of potions. Everyone appeared busy, and most had a somewhat grim expression.
‘Are all academies like this?’
Temia watched them, recalling students near graduation. The sight stirred a mix of familiarity and sympathy within her.
Lowell, however, paid no attention to the people around them and gestured toward the staircase at the far end. Temia, sticking close to him, whispered softly.
“But… technically, we’re just visitors, outsiders… is it really okay for us to just walk in like this?”
“If they wanted to stop us, they would have done so already. The fact that we haven’t been magically repelled means it’s fine to proceed. Important rooms or items are likely protected by security spells, and higher floors usually have stricter security. Besides, I was invited as a guest of the academy—so it wouldn’t make sense for them to block us.”
“I see… that’s a relief. I was worried we’d stand out too much since everyone else is wearing uniforms.”
Indeed, most of the people wandering inside were students, clad in luxurious garments adorned with wine-colored fabric and golden patterns. Temia fidgeted with the hem of her dress, awkwardly smiling. She could feel curious gazes lingering on them since they entered, but she dismissed them, assuming people were simply glancing at Lowell, the prodigy magician.
Temia didn’t know the truth. It had been years since Lowell graduated; aside from the faculty, almost no one present would recognize his face. Any social gatherings he attended years ago would be long forgotten.
In reality, the onlookers were simply intrigued by the sight of a striking young man walking across the hall with a high-level summoned creature in tow. His distinctive appearance had surely sparked rumors throughout the small community of magicians. Could he have come from another magical tower on the continent? The whispers grew louder.
Lowell, unconcerned, smirked lightly as if mocking their worries.
“Ah, right. Is it okay if we walk up about five floors? We need to reach the top. Insiders can use teleportation circles, but we can’t. I can’t leave Temia here alone.”
“Walk? But what do you mean by leaving her behind?!”
“I can manage as a graduate, but Temia can’t. They probably assumed I’d bring an assistant, but didn’t expect a non-magician. She doesn’t have a pass.”
“Ah…”
Temia glanced at the seemingly endless staircase. While five floors might be routine within the academy, the steps before her looked unusually demanding. The ceilings were much higher than she had expected. Yet, there was no turning back. She nodded lightly in agreement.
Almost immediately, she regretted her decision. Terium Academy was clearly not a place to traverse easily.
It wasn’t the lack of visible security enchantments—it was the sheer steepness of the stairs. By the third floor, Temia was already winded; by the fourth, she dragged her legs in obvious fatigue.
Lowell, noticing her struggle, asked with concern:
“…Do you want me to support you? You look like you’ll collapse before we even reach the top.”
“N… no. I… huff… I’m fine…”
Temia refused to let go of her pride and managed to reach the fifth floor on her own. The moment she stepped onto the final floor, she wanted to cheer out loud. Yet, keeping her composure, she swallowed her excitement. Lowell, watching her from the side, guided her to a large door inside the corridor.
As he placed his hand on the doorknob, a complex magical seal shimmered into view. Lery stepped forward, pressing it as if stamping a mark, and the door slid open effortlessly.
Inside sat an elderly man with a long white beard. Lowell entered first, and the man rose with a mischievous grin.
“You arrived sooner than I expected. If you hadn’t, I’d have summoned you myself.”
“Were you really going to set my workshop on fire?! You threatened me!”
“Had you not come, I would’ve. But you came, so that’s settled. I was already wondering when you’d show up.”
“You seem surprisingly unbusy. Couldn’t you just have us turn back?”
“Don’t joke about that!”
Temia observed Lowell shrug in response, and she wondered if the old man’s words might have been genuine. The elderly man then gestured toward Temia, standing near the door.
“Ah, you must be this one’s assistant! I’m Lindberg Kesira, head of Terium Academy.”
“Y-yes! Please call me Temia.”
“Thank you for coming such a long way. You’ve had quite the trouble because of this one.”
‘It was a long trip…’
Temia, still catching her breath, simply smiled in acknowledgment. Seeing her sweat-soaked bangs, the headmaster exclaimed to Lowell:
“You didn’t bring her up the stairs all the way here, did you?!”
“I did.”
“What?! Why?!”
“She didn’t have an outsider pass. I couldn’t use the circle alone.”
“You little… turning me into an inflexible old man! I would’ve had the guards handle this immediately! What would she think of me?!”
“She probably thinks you’re a crazy old man.”
Though their conversation seemed trivial, Lindberg Kesira was a prominent figure even non-magicians would have heard of.
‘Lindberg Kesira… he seems to be on very friendly terms with Lowell. He must be a powerful figure capable of mobilizing both magical and military networks.’
He appeared gentle but maintained control and authority over his position, reflecting exceptional leadership. Lowell had obeyed his request to come to the academy without complaint. Temia shook her head quietly, thinking, ‘I need to gauge his personality through conversation first.’
After the minor commotion between teacher and student, the old man looked at Temia with warmth in his eyes—a mix of mild guilt and empathy. Temia was slightly taken aback.
‘Why would someone I’ve just met act like this…?’
Suddenly, it clicked. This man was Lowell’s teacher. His wrinkles, his expressions, all had been shaped by guiding Lowell over the years. Respect and sympathy welled up in Temia.
“You must have had quite the ordeal…”
“The hardest part? Raising a troublesome student. I can only apologize for that.”
In that moment, a silent bond formed between them through Lowell, the source of so much trouble. Even Lery, floating nearby, joined the connection with a playful sound, leaving Lowell to stand sulking alone. He was the main character, yet no one paid attention to him.
After a brief greeting, they sat down and began serious discussion. Most of the conversation revolved around messages from the court, but there was also talk of coaxing Lowell to return to his old role as a workshop master.
“You really have no intention of joining the court?”
“I’ve said no a hundred times already.”
“It would be much easier if you just went. They still hope you’ll come. Even if the position of chief magician is filled, why not teach the princes and princesses yourself?”
“I don’t want to complicate things.”
Temia, anxious again, absentmindedly patted Lery’s head. The small creature understood her feelings and nuzzled her fingers gently.
“Your stubbornness hasn’t changed.”
“Thank you for the compliment.”
“It’s not a compliment. Tsk. Anyway, you should appear as the headmaster’s assistant and treat the inspector politely. People from the Eastern Tower will be coming. They asked if they could connect with the author of a pseudonymous paper you wrote. I’ve already arranged for someone similar to introduce themselves. You handle it directly! Hmph.”
“…Just hearing it makes me sick.”
“No choice. Wait here for now. Things will get busy starting tomorrow. And since you brought an assistant, it’ll be good to guide them around. This place is huge.”
Temia’s eyes widened, and a joyful smile spread across her face. The conversation continued, now including stories from Lowell’s school days. Silently, Temia cheered.
“When he was younger, he was so unruly. Born with immense magical power, he often got carried away. A professor couldn’t tolerate it, so they tested him with surprise quizzes. His behavior in class was poor. Lowell would sneak out while others struggled to cast magic. The quizzes were to ensure he really understood the lessons.”
“Wow… that was definitely Lowell’s fault. Unfortunate about the quizzes, though.”
“But the problem was…”
To be continued
