TLVGAJ 39

~Chapter 39~

Wait a second…

I instinctively placed my hand over my chest.

My heartbeat felt abnormal — thudding hard, and something inside me was pounding as if it might explode.

This is…

I realized my magic was stirring.

It was similar to what I’d felt in Sinks — I knew it instinctively.

My magic inside… was preparing to burst. In the middle of all these people.

Wait, why now?

Panic made me let out a shaky breath.

Was my magic going out of control again? I’d taken my medicine regularly — so why?

But my heart was ready to release magic violently, no matter what I wanted.

I need to get out.

I bit my lip.

If my magic burst here, I could be labeled a terrorist.

“My lady, where are you going?”

“J-just a moment.”

I turned quickly toward the exit, but Sophie grabbed me.

I pulled free and moved without thinking.

Deon and Sophie followed, confused.

Only one thought filled my head: Find a place without people.

But…

In such a crowded tourist site, such a place didn’t exist.

I stopped halfway down the stairs.

No.

It’s going to burst—

I was sure now: I couldn’t control the magic in me.

Covering my face with both hands, I closed my eyes tightly and lowered my head.

The cheers of the crowd buzzed in my ears, my heartbeat faster than ever.

It’s going to burst.
It’s going to burst…!

“Found you.”

A gentle voice landed in my ear.

Like being alone in space, a deep, hollow scent brushed past me.

Someone large pulled me into an embrace from behind.

At the same time, I felt my heart explode, and immense magic surged out of me.

I thought I heard a heavy boom in my ear.

How much time had passed?

Huh…?

I slowly opened my eyes.

The crowd was still cheering — nothing seemed different from before my magic burst.

I quickly looked up; everyone was still watching the gladiator match as if nothing happened.

Some glanced at me sweating, but just passed by.

“What… is this?” I muttered without thinking.

That’s when I felt a large hand behind my neck.

I slowly looked up.

Standing over me was a man with striking purple hair, sunlight gleaming off him.

Oh…?

Like a shadow but shining compared to everyone around.

Tall, with a sharp, fitted suit, a black cloak draped over his shoulders.

His shoulder-length purple hair framed an alluring face, his mysterious violet eyes looking down at me like they could pierce through.

“As I expected, you have an incredible amount of magic.”

His voice was clear in my ears, even through the noise of the crowd.

“Who—” I started, then stopped.

Ah… I knew who he was.

He had the presence of a main character in the novel, standing out unnaturally.

Always in a dark suit and cloak, shadow-like yet captivating.

Most of all — the unforgettable purple hair and eyes.

He was… the fourth male lead in this story.

The Master of the Magic Tower — Fabian Alfonso.

“Excuse me.”

With his low voice, something black fluttered in front of me.

“My lady? My lady!” Sophie’s panicked voice reached me.

My vision went dark.

While facing the fourth male lead, my consciousness was cut off.

Flash.

I opened my eyes to see an unfamiliar ceiling — a black one.

“…Huh?”

I tilted my head, then frowned as my head throbbed. The familiar sensation meant… I’d fainted again.

Then I felt something around my arm.

It looked like a blood pressure cuff from my previous life.

“W-what is this?”

My heart sank.

As I tried to remove it, the door opened and a man entered.

“Please wait. Don’t take it off yet.”

“What is this? Who are you?”

Realizing the situation, I shouted at him.

Where was I? What was on my arm?

…Had I been kidnapped?

“Who’s in charge here? Bring them right now! Are you the one in charge?”

Beep.

The strange device made a noise, then printed a sheet of paper.

The man took it, ignoring me.

“Hey! I said bring the person in charge!”

“I’m right here. That person in charge.”

“!”

The voice came from another direction.

I turned quickly — and saw someone standing in the doorway.

Wearing a black cloak… the fourth male lead, Fabian Alfonso.

Right…

Seeing him brought back my memory before I lost consciousness.

My magic had nearly gone out of control — but somehow, I’d survived.

“Who are you? Why are you here? And where is this?”

“….”

Apparently, ignoring questions was standard here.

Fabian didn’t answer, instead taking the paper from the subordinate and studying it with a serious look.

After a sigh, he said, “Leave us.”

“Yes, understood.”

The man bowed and left.

Click. The door closed.

Fabian crossed his arms and looked at me.

“How do you have such strong magic?”

“…What?”

“If you were a registered mage, there’s no way I wouldn’t know someone with this level of magic.”

It sounded more like he was thinking aloud than asking me directly.

Memories of him holding me earlier came to mind.

Had Fabian stopped my magic from bursting?

As the Master of the Tower, he probably had the ability to.

Had he just run into me, or had he been searching for me?

I suddenly had so many questions.

“Earlier… you were the one who saved me, right?”

I needed an explanation.

Why my out-of-control magic hadn’t exploded.

Why I’d woken up in this unfamiliar place.

“…Yes. I saved you,” Fabian said, uncrossing his arms.

“You’re in the Magic Tower. We just measured the magic inside your body. And I…”

He stepped toward me and extended his hand for a handshake.

“Fabian Alfonso. I manage the mages of this continent as the head of the Magic Tower.”

“….”

“For now… let’s just say I’m someone who wants to help you.”