25 – Vroom Vroom

The Blue Magic Tower was the stronghold and, one might say, the homeland of the Life School mages.

The Life School was a group of mages who primarily conducted research related to living things, such as chimeras, animals, plants, demons, and faeries.

Although their influence within the kingdom’s magic circles ranked fourth, trailing behind the Flame School.

The number of talented individuals the school possessed, and the numerous achievements that contributed to the kingdom’s development, were by no means inferior to those of the Flame School.

It was the Life School mages who had predicted this Insane’s curse and sent official warnings to the lords, urging them to be cautious.

“Well, even if you wish to speak directly to someone of high standing, there are procedures to follow, you see? You’ll have to wait at least half a month.”

The Azure Mage Tower stood in the kingdom’s west.

A complete opposite to the east, where the Tristi Dominion lay.

Dalpi had arrived after a tireless day’s ride, driven by the urgency of delivering Ester’s missive.

“This concerns information related to the Curse of Insanity. It’s vital that the Archmage reads this letter as soon as possible.”

“I just told you it wasn’t possible. Our Mage Tower also has its processes. You can’t just barge in and demand things… it just doesn’t work that way.”

That being the response he received, only a sigh escaped his lips.

The mage guarding the lobby remained unyielding.

A paragon of strict adherence to the rules, allowing no exceptions whatsoever.

Dalpi was obligated to deliver this letter as quickly as possible.

‘The Young Master said that a calamity will befall the kingdom’s east in a month’s time.’

But, no matter how urgently and gravely he spoke, the mage simply wouldn’t comprehend.

Because Dalpi hadn’t revealed that he served Ester Tristi, he lacked credibility.

“Is there really nothing that can be done?”

“If you persist, I’ll have to call the guards. It’s troublesome.”

Dalpi blinked.

Ester had explicitly told Dalpi not to reveal that she was the author of this letter, but…

‘It might be better to disobey the Young Master’s orders than to let a disaster occur and many people die…’

There was truly no other way.

Firmly believing that Ester would understand, Dalpi opened his mouth with a solemn expression.

“I am a servant in service to Lady Ester Tristi.”

Instantly, the mage’s expression shifted.

“What…?”

“Just as I said. I am a servant of Lady Ester Tristi. I would be grateful if you would kindly excuse my unavoidable disregard for the Mage Tower’s procedures. The matter is urgent and pressing, so, might you allow me to meet the Archmage of the Azure Tower?”

Ester Tristi.

A name known to all mages, at least – the young genius.

But.

“Can you prove it?”

“Pardon?”

“Can you prove, here and now, that you are a servant of Ester Tristi?”

The mage eyed Dalpi with palpable distrust.

‘Why so much suspicion…’

Dalpi rested a hand on the table.

A sharp gaze pierced the mage.

The unexpected force of it made the mage flinch.

As Dalpi lifted their palm from the table, a star-shaped earring, undeniably a symbol of Tristi, lay in its place.

Such earrings were traditionally gifted by the head of the house to children born into Tristi – precious heirlooms.

It was amongst the things Dalpi held most dear.

“Is this proof enough?”

“…….”

The mage nodded in affirmation, and Dalpi tucked the star earring back into their pocket.

A moment passed.

“You may proceed through the portal.”

A rift shimmered into existence.

Similar to the ones seen at the Red Tower.

“Good luck.”

Dalpi stepped into the rift.

Vision flickered.

In an instant, the lobby morphed into the Tower Master’s chambers.

Before them stood a petite woman, her face etched with nerves.

“You’re here as a representative of Esther Tristi, I heard from Derick just now!!”

Dalpi recognized the woman before them.

She was one of the mages frequently mentioned in *Justina Monthly*.

Noctias, Master of the Blue Tower.

Though small and cute, easily mistaken for a girl still growing,

Noctias was, astonishingly, 158 years old, the most senior of all the Tower Masters.

“So, you’ve come to deliver a message from Esther Tristi! Perhaps an answer to the letter I sent her some time ago? Oh, please don’t worry about the delay, I fully understand how busy Esther must be! Or perhaps it’s something monumental, for the good of our Blue Tower…!!”

Noctias spoke quickly, a torrent of words.

Even Dalpi struggled to parse them clearly.

If Esther had heard that barrage, she would have remarked something along the lines of, ‘Could be a rapper?’

“Ah, right! Seems I haven’t even introduced myself. Hearing the name I’d been so eagerly anticipating made me momentarily forget myself, seh-ha-ha! My name is Noctias!”

“I am Dalphy, serving as aide to Master Ester.”

I’d heard from Ester that the Crimson Magus Tower Lord laughed with a “Hwa-ha-ha!”

Until now, I thought it was just a childish prank, but seeing Noctias laughing heartily with a “Seh-ha-ha!” it seemed Ester’s words were true after all.

‘Do all Magus Tower Lords have such peculiar laughs?’

Dalphy suddenly imagined Ester becoming a Magus Tower Lord.

-Nop-ha-ha-ha!!

Frankly, it felt a bit off-putting.

Personally, I hope Ester doesn’t become a Magus Tower Lord.

The maid thought so.

Anyway.

“I have come to deliver a letter from the young master.”

Dalphy presented Ester’s letter.

“Thank you. Now then, let’s see…”

Noctias began reading the letter with a beaming, joyful expression.

But as her gaze moved further down, her expression gradually hardened.

She opened her mouth.

“Dalphy, I apologize, but could you possibly wait here for a moment…? Something suddenly came to mind that requires immediate review.”

Dalphy nodded.

“I am truly sorry! Please wait here for just a little while!”

Noctias opened a rift and vanished in a flurry.

“Hmm.”

Dalphy possessed no magical aptitude.

Even if she read Ester’s letter, she wouldn’t understand the details.

However, judging from Ester’s accomplishments thus far, and the Blue Magus Tower Lord’s utterly flustered reaction…

‘It seems the young master has done something yet again.’

Ester’s reputation would only grow greater.

*

The truly remarkable thing about Nob AI was that it had not only learned the knowledge used in this world, but also the knowledge that was prevalent in my previous life.

The reason I, with my smaller frame, could overwhelm Kenneth, a master of royal martial arts, was thanks to the techniques primarily used by professional fighters in my past life.

It’s as if I possess memories of a past life; perhaps Nob AI, too, remembers a former existence.

Anyway.

Nob AI had also learned from the data of the demonic tribes in Daebo Village.

So, I asked Nob AI what weapon could effectively deal with those demonic fiends.

『1. Atomic Bomb.』

『2. Trichtothecene & Tabun Gas.』

『3. Influenza Virus.』

『4. Anthrax.』

『…』

『…』

It was full of things that should never see the light of this world.

When I asked if there wasn’t anything besides those atrocious weapons, I got the answer:

『I recommend a Tank.』

A tank.

An armored combat vehicle with a direct-fire cannon.

Apparently, this world also had steam tanks, but the tank Nob AI proposed was completely different.

It felt like they had just forced a cannon onto the front of a steam locomotive; the design was undeniably cool, but it seemed to be known for its mediocre performance for the price.

I planned to create a superior version of the steam tank.

With Nob AI’s help, of course.

And for that reason, I headed to the Academy.

Since Dalpi was busy, another servant drove the carriage.

Before departing, Haniel came to the manor to ask about the details of my fight with Kenneth; she seemed to have gleaned some of the truth from the servants.

I had to talk her out of confronting Kenneth right then and there, which was a bit of a sweat.

-I handled it myself. Don’t worry about it, sister.

-Cough, really…?

I explained it well enough that my sick sister wouldn’t fret.

-Anyway, the task I entrusted to you last time, it’s progressing without issues, right?

-Yeah.

It seemed the task I had entrusted to her was proceeding without problems.

Dalpi will make sure to get the information related to the curse of Insane delivered, so that’s good.

It was unfolding just as planned.

If I could successfully navigate this successor trial, I should start looking for a suitable place to move.

Somewhere I could find more clues regarding Haneil’s treatment would be ideal.

I understood that healing and medicine weren’t typically the domain of mages.

Of course, there were some, like Erphs, who possessed medical knowledge, but usually it was the nuns and priests working at the cathedral, or doctors, who handled those matters.

If I stayed in a place like the royal capital, where they were most concentrated, I thought the path would become clearer than it was now.

Besides, the time when I would receive medical books and papers from Erphs was fast approaching, so, anyway.

Let’s think more deeply about that when the time comes.

As the carriage was nearing the academy, I asked the servant to stop.

“Drop me off here. You can take the carriage back to the mansion.”

“B-but, Young Master, we haven’t arrived yet… It’s still a ten minute carriage ride to the academy. It’ll take longer than that on foot.”

I told him it was fine.

I’d drawn attention at the academy’s front gate not long ago, so I wanted to enter quietly this time.

And when I returned from the academy, I would need a wagon, not a carriage.

“Go back and rest for a bit. And bring a wagon around tonight.”

“A wagon, sir?”

“Yes. I’ll need quite a bit of space. About thirty percent of the wagons the mercenary company brought last time. If you need more manpower, tell them Esther Tristi sent you and pull in anyone who’s free.”

The servant scratched his cheek.

“Understood. Um, but Young Master, may I ask you just one thing…?”

“Hmm?”

“I’ve been seeing you in this mansion for a while now. Honestly, until now you’ve always just endured unfair things, so, well, everyone’s curious about why you’ve changed….”

I gave the hesitant servant a faint smile.

“Opportunity always knocks for people. I simply seized it, that’s all.”

“I see…”

Leaving the servant, who still looked puzzled, behind, I walked slowly toward the academy.