Episode 142: Magic Tower #3
The carriage moved quietly along the road.
The curtains swayed gently in rhythm with the smooth rocking of the vehicle.
The scenery outside the window gradually changed. The first thing that came into view was the sharp spires. And as the field of vision widened, massive structures filling the gaps between them began to reveal themselves.
Creak.
The low rumble of the wheels rolling over the stone-paved road echoed. As Yohan gazed out the window, he felt the flow of mana intensifying as he neared the Magic Tower.
The air felt strangely heavy.
The energy surrounding the area was anything but ordinary.
‘So this is the Magic Tower.’
The Magic Tower’s domain.
At the center of the magical city, connected by stone roads, four towering spires soared into the sky.
Red, green, blue, and yellow—
Towers representing the branches of magic.
‘Fascinating.’
Yohan looked at the Magic Towers with curious eyes.
‘In the fantasy worlds I’ve seen in novels and comics, Magic Towers were never clustered in one place like this.’
Strangely enough, the Magic Towers of this world were all gathered in a single region. Whether this was due to the intentions of celestial mages or a natural occurrence, he wasn’t sure. He hadn’t delved into their history.
‘There are a lot of ordinary people here too.’
Despite being called the “Magic District,” the central street was as crowded as the imperial capital. The people were simply living their lives, going about their daily routines. At a glance, they appeared to be common residents.
This place could be considered a nation in its own right, centered around the Magic Tower.
A land where everything was governed by magic, where mana was revered, and where only logic and rationality dictated their way of life.
‘…That’s enough sightseeing.’
After scanning his surroundings, Yohan narrowed his eyes and shifted his gaze. Among the four towers forming a square, he focused on a smaller spire.
It was the core of the Magic Tower, the residence of the Tower Master—the very place Yohan was about to visit.
‘The answer is clear.’
It was already certain that the Tower Master harbored ill intentions. After all, he had even sent a familiar to spy on Yohan’s father-in-law, Duke Fervache.
The exact purpose behind it remained unknown, but the objective was crystal clear.
‘Either he’s targeting me or Francia.’
Oddly enough, the Tower Master had been observing the Fervache family estate, showing an interest in Francia, yet he also seemed intrigued by Yohan himself.
In that case, there was only one thing to do—
‘I’ve ensured safety, so I won’t hesitate to dig him out.’
He would expose the Tower Master’s true face.
Since he was visiting the Magic Tower with an official statement issued to the entire continent, his safety was guaranteed. No one would dare to make a reckless move.
His loved ones were safe as well.
In the Lahart estate where Rudella was staying, a magical barrier had been set up so that Yohan could reach her within five minutes. Meanwhile, Francia was with Duke Fervache.
Creak.
During his thoughts, the carriage came to a stop. Yohan stepped out. As expected of a city of mages, even the faint breeze carried a high concentration of mana.
“Welcome, Duke Lahart.”
Just as he was observing his surroundings, a group of mages dressed in the uniform of the Magic Tower approached him.
“It’s a pleasure.”
After exchanging brief pleasantries, Yohan got straight to the point.
“Can I meet with the Tower Master right away?”
“Of course. He is expecting you.”
“Then please lead the way.”
“Certainly.”
He followed them. As they moved deeper into the area surrounded by towering spires, the number of people dwindled. It might have something to do with the peculiar nature of mages, who were known to be eccentric.
Finally, they arrived at the central tower. The magical sentries guarding the entrance stepped aside the moment they saw Yohan.
“Welcome, Duke Lahart.”
Stepping inside, Yohan entered an elevator.
The moment he pressed the button for his desired floor, he felt a shift in gravity.
The mechanism was powered by magic stones.
‘Impressive technology.’
Although magical devices powered by magic stones were common, those within the Magic Tower were noticeably different. With just a quick glance, Yohan could tell that the level of magic tools here was far superior.
To the point where comparisons were meaningless.
Their technology was decades ahead of the Empire’s.
Now, Yohan understood why the Magic Tower never bowed to anyone. The magic engineering of this place was on another level.
The elevator vibrated lightly as it ascended. The runes engraved on the walls emitted a faint glow.
And then—the doors opened.
***
“You’ve arrived.”
“…”
A sharp energy of mana tingled against the skin. They say mana shifts according to the person at its center. Had it inherited the temperament of the Tower Master himself?
Step.
It was at that moment. The razor-sharp mana gathered in one place. From the front, a man with white hair and green eyes approached with a relaxed smile.
The Tower Master, Rein Adriche.
“Welcome, Duke Lahart.”
“…It’s a pleasure.”
“Please, come inside.”
Following the Tower Master, he stepped inside. As soon as he sat on the sofa Rein had guided him to, a rift opened in the air, and in an instant, a tea table was set before them.
Manipulating space freely…
It was one of the highest-ranked transcendental magic spells.
“Shall we get straight to the point?”
“Yes, that is why I came here in the first place.”
“Haha, I like that.”
Rein Adriche leaned forward, a faint smile lingering on his lips.
“You wish to research the sealing of the rift that formed in the Demonic lairs.”
“That’s merely the official reason. I believe you are well aware of my true purpose in coming here, Tower Master.”
“Hmm, but that wasn’t the topic I had in mind.”
His eyes narrowed.
His eyes narrowed. Though his lips were curved in a smile, Yohan was not naïve enough to mistake it for a genuine one.
“Hahaha, could it be that you came to see if I have some ulterior motives?”
“You know well.”
Yohan picked up his teacup. He had no reason to worry about poison—only amateurs would attempt such crude methods in a meeting like this.
“No matter how I look at it, it seems the Tower Master has other intentions lately.”
“Such as?”
“You seem to be targeting someone.”
“Hmm.”
Rein nodded. Interesting. How had he figured out his objective? He had not been so careless as to reveal it openly.
All he had done was send a familiar to Duke Fervache.
Was that too much?
Perhaps.
But it didn’t matter.
“Hmm.”
Rein Adriche smirked.
“I won’t deny it.”
He lightly tapped his teacup with his fingertip.
“It’s only natural that I have a purpose.”
The teacup trembled.
Yohan’s eyes narrowed as he sensed the sharp energy hidden within that subtle movement.
“However.”
Rein’s voice dropped lower.
“To achieve that purpose, I will not hesitate to use any means necessary.”
A chilling smile.
He had revealed his true colors.
This was no trivial matter.
The goal he spoke of could only mean Francia, or himself.
If he was willing to use any means necessary, that was a direct threat.
“Do you understand the weight of your words?”
“Of course. My intentions are clear.”
“You will regret this.”
Yohan slowly gathered his mana.
This wasn’t some empty bluff, like a dog barking to warn others away. It was a clear warning.
Could he defeat the Tower Master?
He didn’t know.
To be honest, it would be tough.
But did that mean he should back down? No.
If it was to protect the ones he loved, then he had no choice but to fight.
“You seem displeased. So, what will you do?”
Rein Adriche chuckled leisurely.
“After all, I am the heavens.”
“…”
Arrogant words, but true. He was known as the continent’s strongest mage, the one closest to the mythical realm of Celestial magic.
Yohan nodded.
“I understand the Tower Master’s intentions well.”
Crackle—!
A surge of mana pulsed around Yohan. A fierce windstorm erupted, sending papers and magical artifacts flying.
“Then let’s see who will still be standing in the end.”
“Haha, you’re quite impatient.”
Rein Adriche also released his mana. His eyes gleamed, and an overwhelming surge of energy spread across the room, powerful enough to make one’s skin crawl.
“Yohan Lahart, let me ask you one last time.”
His gaze sharpened.
“Have you ever had a nightmare like mine? Or received a revelation?”
Yohan frowned at the man’s question.
“…A nightmare? A revelation? I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Rein Adriche slowly nodded.
“I see. So it only appeared to me… That time, which has now returned to nothingness.”
He knew.
He knew how the future had played out in a different timeline.
In that timeline, his other self had suffered a fatal wound at the hands of Yohan Lahart before him, and in the end, had met his death.
For the man who once considered himself the heavens, it had been the ultimate disgrace.
What he felt now was clear—disgust and rage.
“In that case, I must make you understand.”
Snap.
Rein Adriche flicked his fingers.
“The emotions that transcended time and reached me… I will let you feel them too.”
Kuuuuung.
The air was torn apart.
A spatial rift formed before them.
Within it, a familiar scene unfolded.
There, Francia was trying on a black dress, and watching her with a pleased smile was Duke Fervache.
Yohan’s heart pounded violently.
“…No way…”
He didn’t need to ask what the man intended to do. He had to stop it. Yohan immediately raised his fingers.
Kwaaaah!
A burst of magic erupted, forming a rupture point.
He had to kill him here.
But—
“I will listen to your screams.”
Before Yohan’s magic could reach him, Rein Adriche instantly crossed the space.
***
Mary Jane’s Boutique
The most renowned clothing salon in the imperial capital.
It was safe to say that all the dresses and suits worn by the central nobility were commissioned from Mary Jane’s Boutique.
The salon was always bustling with nobles, never lacking in customers, but today, only the madam and the staff remained, as they had a special guest.
“Haha, you really do take after Julia. The black dress suits you well.”
The special guests were none other than Duke Fervache and Francia, enjoying a peaceful moment together as father and daughter.
“Then should we go with a black and red combination?”
“That sounds good. It matches your hair as well.”
“Hehe, Madam?”
Just as she took a step forward to order the dress—
Kwaaaaang!
Suddenly, the ceiling of the salon shattered. Debris rained down as the entire building trembled.
“Kyaaah!”
“What’s happening?!”
“What in the world…?!”
The salon fell into chaos.
Duke Fervache reacted faster than anyone, immediately lifting Francia into his arms and deploying a magic barrier.
“W-What’s going on?”
Francia looked up at the Duke with a stunned expression.
The Duke narrowed his eyes, his magic surging.
“…This magic… is familiar.”
Crackle, crackle…
Frost spread slowly across the floor.
The air froze, filling the space with floating snowflakes.
Through the biting cold, a man appeared.
“It’s been a while, Duke Fervache.”
Silver-white hair, eyes as brilliant as emeralds.
A chilling aura that made one’s entire body shudder.
An unmistakable, razor-sharp killing intent.
“…The Tower Master.”
It was Rein Adriche.