Chapter 93
Originally, the Mage Tower wasn’t supposed to be used as lodging, but Elizia had a place to stay there? She remembered sending the saint away, but she nodded quickly.
“Well, it’s the Mage Tower, so I guess that makes sense.”
After all, it’s a place that uses magic. With magical power, remodeling a place like this would be quick.
Besides, she had heard that many wizards stayed up all night researching, so accommodations for them likely already existed.
Perhaps when the saint requested a room, all the rooms were full, so they had no choice but to refuse. But now, the timing might have been right and a space had opened up. Either way, it was fortunate.
“Please come this way.”
Before moving with the guidance of the hooded wizard, Elizia glanced back at the duke.
“Why so quiet for once?”
She expected him to scold her about causing trouble or to give some trivial advice, but he was unusually silent, which made her more concerned.
As expected, the duke spoke, just a beat too late.
“Tell me immediately if anything happens.”
“Huh?”
“If the accommodations are uncomfortable, or the food is strange again—anything, even the smallest issue—send me a letter. That’s what I mean.”
The duke’s gaze was fixed firmly on Elizia.
“Don’t just keep hiding things.”
“….”
Elizia nodded quietly.
As expected, the duke already seemed to know she was trying to hide something. Of course, he couldn’t not know—she had escaped from home silently several times. Suddenly becoming proficient in swordsmanship and magic, it would be strange to assume she had no secrets.
“Would you actually listen if I told you?”
“…If you speak, I’ll consider it depending on the situation.”
So he’ll really just listen, Elizia thought, swallowing a bitter smile and shaking her head. Every time, he says, “Tell the truth!” yet when she does something, he just shouts, “Elizia Semperion!” and gets angry. She couldn’t be fooled by that serious expression.
Instead, she replied:
“Father, you should tell me too if something happens.”
“….”
The duke was silent for a moment, seemingly surprised by her unexpected words. Then:
“Alright, go ahead.”
With a brief farewell, Elizia bowed to the duke.
Ding!
You have finally entered the Mage Tower!
A bonus quest based on your choices has been assigned!
Checking current game settings…
The final quest will unlock shortly!
They don’t tell me right away, huh?
The bonus quest appeared as soon as Elizia stepped into the Mage Tower. She frowned as she looked at her status window.
When choosing between the Palace, Mage Tower, and Temple, she had been told it would link to a bonus quest, so it was expected that a quest would appear upon arrival.
It’s under review.
Hopefully, the system wasn’t having trouble preparing the quest due to an unexpected choice. The manager was stripped of authority, and the owner’s whereabouts were unknown—it was impressive the tower still functioned properly.
Is the game even running smoothly?
Just then, the hooded wizard guided her again:
“Please come this way.”
Elizia followed.
Meow, meow. (I’ve already arrived while sleeping.)
The snow leopard, curled up in her arms, stirred. Even in the moving carriage, it had slept peacefully—a sign of its calm nature.
Meow… meow? (But… that human. I feel like I’ve seen him before.)
The snow leopard, suspicious of the hooded wizard, quickly lifted a paw to point at him.
“Right? I thought so too.”
Elizia shrugged. Even though the wizard’s face was covered by the hood, they had seen each other often enough to recognize him.
“But, Fin.”
“Yes?”
The wizard froze mid-answer, then awkwardly smiled.
“Ah, you caught me.”
He quickly lifted his hood slightly.
“Sorry. I wasn’t trying to hide it on purpose… there are just many eyes around.”
After scanning the surroundings, Fin lowered his voice and covered his face again. Since Elizia’s arrival, she noticed people in the Mage Tower keeping an eye on her.
“You fought the monsters with Sir Ende during the last beast attack, right?”
“Can we…?”
“Miss Semperion, you don’t need a re-examination?”
Amid the murmuring, Elizia repeated the words she recognized.
Re-examination?
This wasn’t something she particularly wanted. A re-examination could risk revealing her abilities.
Of course, it wasn’t impossible to bypass, but she had invisibility, teleportation, and relics in her inventory. Too much could be exposed.
“Let’s finish the rest in the office,” Fin suggested quietly, sensing the stares. Elizia nodded and quickened her pace. They headed to the Deputy Tower Master’s office in the tower’s center.
I’ve never been down this corridor.
It had been described in the game. Being the male lead’s office, the opposite wall was dotted with magic stones and had transparent windows.
The view is gorgeous.
From the height of the Mage Tower, the Empire lay below. Though night had fallen and only a few alley lights were on, it would be beautiful in sunlight.
At the end of the corridor was a spiral staircase.
Is this going to the upper floors?
She had heard the Tower Master’s office was above, but for now, they were heading to the Deputy Tower Master’s office.
Fin lightly knocked on the door.
Knock knock.
“C-come in.”
Sounds of tidying up were heard, and the door opened. Only Jerome was inside.
“Hello, Miss Semperion.”
“Hello, Deputy Tower Master.”
“Please come in and sit… Ah, sorry I couldn’t come to meet you personally.”
“That’s alright. You’re busy.”
Elizia shook her head slightly. In fact, she should be grateful. She hadn’t expected the Mage Tower to step in at the palace.
And she said first:
“Thank you.”
Elizia looked at Fin as she spoke.
“For telling them I belonged to the Mage Tower and for saying I was competent.”
“Ah, about that…”
Jerome spoke with an embarrassed look.
“…As you know, Miss Semperion, you were involved in the recent beast attack.”
Elizia nodded. On her way here, she had sensed attention and curiosity from the surrounding gazes.
“I want you to know that while you’re here, you may be asked difficult questions related to that incident.”
“…Is that all?”
Elizia asked, surprised. She expected a re-examination or further research, considering the murmurs about it.
“Yes, that’s all. No additional tests will be conducted. It’s just suspicion. We’re only letting you know that such rumors exist.”
“Then… why am I here?”
Elizia asked, then covered her mouth, realizing how awkward it sounded.
“Ah… I mean, there’s no reason to bring me here, right? Surely you’re not planning to experiment on me later?”
“Of course not!”
Jerome responded immediately, startled.
“All human-based research follows strict principles. Beyond the initial magic ability test, no one is forced into research without consent. And failing to protect a Mage Tower wizard would harm the Tower’s prestige. We brought you to protect our own wizard.”
“Then… what about relics?”
Elizia asked, skeptical. She had expected that the Tower had some agenda for bringing her here, considering potential research interest in her as a suspected human relic.
“Research on relics?”
Jerome shook his head.
“We have a relic, and if you’re interested, you may examine it. It might provide a clue. But it’s not intended for research on you. If you want to study it, you can do so—research wizards may access relics with limited permissions once approved. That’s your right.”
“But I’m not a research wizard…”
Elizia trailed off. She had once wanted to attend the ball as a research wizard but gave up due to the time required.
Jerome quickly added:
“When you applied in the library, we registered you as a research wizard just in case. Your final approval was recent, but now you have a proper registration.”
“…!”
“Ah, if you want to withdraw the application, just let us know.”
“No! That was perfect!”
Officially a Mage Tower research wizard!
Elizia barely restrained a smile. Research wizards could do many things, including limited relic study and participating in Tower research with permission.
I should take a look at the relic if I get the chance.
“Your registration will be delivered to your lodgings. Any other questions?”
Elizia recalled something she had wondered:
“I heard the Mage Tower is restricted today due to important research.”
“Ah, yes.”
“That’s not because of me, right?”
Elizia had worried it might be due to her. Jerome explained:
“No… it’s not directly related to you.”
He glanced at Fin, unsure if he should continue. Fin interjected:
“Deputy Tower Master, I…”
“Actually, there was a request for a re-investigation of Fin…”
Both spoke at once. Elizia’s eyes widened.
Fin is being investigated?
Indeed, the Duke had warned about this before.
The day of the ball, the carriage she rode with Fin was attacked by beasts. They defeated all the beasts together, attracting attention.
Since Elizia left at the Duke’s order, and requested secrecy about her powers, it likely appeared that Fin handled most of the beasts.
The academic world hadn’t paid attention until now, but this incident seems to have drawn interest. Soon, Fin will undergo a re-evaluation at the Mage Tower.
…It’s because of me.
Elizia, trying to cover up her own role, had all the suspicion focused on her.
Making a decision, Elizia spoke to Fin:
“Fin, I need to talk to you.”
