12 – Je-ha-ha

Aria began to lead the way.

Her charges were Dalphy and Esther.

“The Archmage resides in the Scarlet Tower. And, well… to get to the Scarlet Tower, you have to go to a specific location, but the detailed information regarding that is a Flamewalker’s secret, so I can’t exactly tell you… uh, well, let’s get going!”

Aria was wide awake, startled by the unexpected guests.

The youngest son of the Tristi family, the genius who cracked the Millennium Problem.

The prodigy who had suddenly appeared in the magical world, Esther Tristi.

“Thank you,”

Esther gave Aria a polite bow.

Aria swallowed hard.

‘I didn’t say anything rude, did I…?’

She felt uneasy.

Aria’s first impression of Esther was that of a pampered young master.

Compared to his siblings, he was notorious within the territory for his apparent lack of talent, and even those close to the Tristi family viewed him harshly.

He couldn’t even cast the simple, basic spell ‘Ignite’ properly.

His swordsmanship was worse than that of a complete beginner.

Perhaps due to his timid nature, he made many mistakes, and his etiquette was a mess.

Before she was a professor at Tristi Academy, Aria was a vassal sworn to House Porto.

Having observed the Tristi family from afar, it never occurred to her that Esther possessed such a keen intellect.

She had always believed that the heir to Porto would be Zephyr or Uriel.

Haniel was exceptional but frail, and Keneth was strong but unrefined.

Felix had too many flaws to be considered…well, she had expected as much.

Clearly, I had expected Esther to end up just like Felix.

Had I known things would turn out like this, I would’ve invested in Esther more actively.

All that blood, sweat and flattering I poured into Uriel and Zephyr now felt like a waste.

Aria swallowed down her disappointment.

“Esteemed Master Esther.”

“Yes?”

“Please, do not hesitate to ask if you require anything.”

The maid, Dalphyra, standing beside Esther, was the object of intense envy.

Is this what they called ‘buying low’? Why was my foresight so lacking?

“Yes, well…”

Esther’s tepid response caused Aria to swallow again, but she was not a woman who remained stagnant.

‘I need to get on his good side, starting now…!!’

Aria cleared her throat.

“The Infernal Flame Recreation that you unveiled this time has proven to be a tremendous aid and inspiration to many mages.”

This was no empty compliment.

“Currently, the Kingdom of Justina is at war with the nefarious demonkin. Furthermore, there is a powerful empire to the north, and heretical pagans who worship wicked gods to the south.”

The Flame School specialized in the study of magic related to ‘war’.

The flame cannons and steam tanks, currently grinding demonkin to paste on the front lines, were all born from the bosom of the Flame School.

Moreover, spells with the highest kill potential, such as Megiddo and Meteor, were also like children to the Flame School.

“By elucidating the Infernal Flame Recreation, you have spurred on research into new war magics that had previously stalled. This is truly a monumental achievement.”

The Infernal Flame Recreation was the genesis of a new concept.

The crux of the matter was summoning and maintaining the powerful energy of the Infernal Flame in the mortal realm, but the possible applications were limitless.

“Is that so.”

Esther remained expressionless.

Aria cautiously observed Esther’s demeanor.

Did this sound like mere flattery? But it wasn’t just flattery, it was genuine admiration…

“The Flame School will be providing you with compensation soon.”

“Is that so.”

‘He doesn’t seem to have any material desires…’

Aria mentally cataloged this newly discovered trait of Esther’s.

“Anyway, all the mages affiliated with the academies are saying they want to meet Master Esther. Not just the Pyromancy School, but the Illusion, Celestial, Life, and Shadow Schools, too – the entire magical world is taking notice of you, Master.”

“I see.”

*He doesn’t seem to enjoy these kinds of talks…*

Perhaps it’s best not to ask why he’s kept a mind capable of solving the ‘Millennium Problems’ hidden away until now.

He didn’t seem to like attention very much.

“In any case, feel free to ask me anything you’re curious about. I can answer any questions you have regarding the magical world, Master.”

“Yes.”

The group halted.

Esther was now standing beneath an enormous tree situated within the academy grounds, its trunk etched with runes.

Aria infused the runes with mana.

Pyromancy School mages bore a blazing flame sigil upon their backs.

Primarily, this tattoo was used to verify their identity.

Its original purpose, however, was to allow Pyromancy School mages to more easily visit the Red Magic Tower, utilizing special runes installed across the kingdom.

In an instant, the runes glowed, and the world shimmered away.

Proof that the transfer had been successful.

The open sky was replaced with a ceiling, and walls rose up around them.

“We’ve arrived.”

The Red Magic Tower, first floor.

Esther and the others were in the lobby.

“Amazing. I understand transference is high-level magic…”

Dalpi blinked.

Aria kindly explained to Dalpi.

“Hehe, this method of transport is the pride of the Red Magic Tower. The calculations are etched into the runes and sigils, and the mana required is entirely supplied by the Tower. Please wait here a moment.”

In the very center of the lobby stood a mechanical device.

Beside it was a communication crystal.

Aria manipulated the crystal, seemingly speaking with someone as she continued her explanation.

Afterward, she operated the mechanical device, and a small fissure opened.

“The Tower Master has granted access to Master Esther alone. Dalpi, you can wait here with me.”

“Hmm.”

Dalpi stared fixedly at Esther.

“No problem.”

“Confirmed.”

Esther stepped into the fissure.

Once he was gone, Aria cautiously opened her mouth.

“Uhm, Maid…?”

“Yes, Professor.”

“I have a question regarding Master…!!”

The situation, an Academy Professor being mindful of a maid, was quite the rarity.

“Uhm, why has Master Esther kept his power hidden until now…?”

“Hmm.”

Dalpi gazed intently at the ceiling.

Aria worried, had she perhaps stepped on a landmine?

“Are you curious?”

“Yes…”

Dalpi closed her eyes.

The maid’s profoundly earnest air caused Aria to swallow hard.

The maid snapped her eyes open.

“You’re curious as to why the young master, who feigned being the weakest, is now revealing his power?”

“Yes…!!”

Aria clenched her fist before she even realized it.

Dalpi spoke in a hushed voice.

“If you’re curious, that’ll be two hundred thousand, no, a hundred thousand credits…”

“I, I’ll pay it…!!”

Aria readily opened her purse.

“Tch, perhaps I should have asked for a bit more…”

“Ye-yes…?”

“Nevermind. That’s not the important thing…”

Dalpi grasped Aria’s shoulders.

“Listen closely.”

Dalpi whispered into Aria’s ear.

“……!!!”

“This is all the information I possess. This story is a secret to everyone else. If you breathe a word of it, great misfortune will follow.”

Aria wore an expression both strange and subtle.

For a fleeting moment, she looked like someone who had just realized they’d been swindled.

But.

“…….”

After a short pause, Aria fixed her gaze on the space Esther had occupied, her face grave.

Dalpi tucked the money into her wallet.

This money must be given to the Young Master.

That was all she thought.

‘As a maid, it’s basic etiquette to bring profit to the one you serve.’

Unlike Dalpi, who seemed to have nothing weighing on her mind.

“…….”

Aria silently gnawed at her fingernails.

*

I was led by Aria to meet the Red Magic Tower Master.

During our walk here, I heard the dreadful news that new war magics were being feverishly researched, all thanks to my solving the Millennium Problem.

Regardless, that wasn’t the important part.

“Hwahahahaha!! So, you are Esther Tristy, the prodigy of the magical world!!”

Please describe the feelings of a boy faced with the spectacle of a man, well past seventy, bare-chested and flaunting his muscular physique.

The letters had been filled with polite and intellectual language, so what was this?

This old codger was supposedly the Red Magic Tower Master, but he was far too boisterous for his age.

To make an analogy, it was like Master Roshi had bulked up to fire a Kamehameha.

For the Red Magic Tower Master to be an old man who looked like he enjoyed giving free PT sessions to the members at the local gym…

‘Is this that famous cover fraud thing? Is that what this is…?’

I already felt my energy draining away.

“My name is Erpheus!! I am the master of the Red Magic Tower and the head of the Flame School who sent you the letters. You’ve had a sour look on your face since the moment you arrived; a young genius like you shouldn’t be scowling already!! Come now!! Follow my example and laugh!! Hwahahahaha!!”

I recalled Dalpi’s words.

-A confident demeanor like this is much better in dealing with other people.

Right, decision made.

Heh heh heh…damn it, Master Erphs! What is with these muscles?! They’re making me crave chicken breast again!! More importantly, let’s treat him with the same attitude I showed Etilla just now.

『Acknowledged.』

This old man sent me a letter because he thinks I’m the genius magician who solved the Millennium Problem.