Let It Go

She was striking, and noticeably so. Even magicians with little interest in others would halt in their tracks upon spotting the Azure Tower Lord and whisper amongst themselves.

Someone even approached her directly.

“I admire you! I’ve read all seven volumes of the Crystalline Structure Theory that you authored, Lady Elisha! It was profoundly impressive!”

Even as the strange magician approached in a flurry of excitement, the Azure Tower Lord’s smile remained.

“Oh, really? How diligent of you. I dashed it off based on a whim, so the treatise became rather abstruse, wouldn’t you say?”

“Well, it is difficult… That’s why I still carry it around with me and read it even now! Ah, would it be an imposition if I asked you to sign it?”

“Of course.”

Taking the offered thesis, the Azure Tower Lord produced a short fountain pen. It was her wand, though it appeared that she had prioritized design over magical power when choosing it. With a flourish, her signature was inscribed upon the proffered page in elegant script.

“I am rooting for you. Do try your best. -Elisha.”

“Agh…! Thank you! I’ll treasure it!”

“Heh heh. You’re welcome.”

‘It isn’t easy enough to comprehend just by reading it, but commendable, the effort they have put in with that mind of theirs.’

…Should one call this being two-faced, or not?

Her inner thoughts were even worse than Lankarht’s. Unlike Lankarht, who would ignore them completely and not treat them as human beings, the Azure Tower Lord was reveling in superiority as she watched them try so hard. The kindness she extended stemmed from arrogance.

But outwardly, her demeanor was more gracious than anyone else’s.

Once she gave her signature, more magicians with similar purpose crowded in. The Azure Tower Lord gave a troubled smile.

“Oh, dear. Seems I’ve drawn a bit too much attention.”

Rancart replied, sounding annoyed.

“It’s your fault, you know.”

“Can’t help it, can I? It’s not just moths drawn to a shining presence. Humans flock to luminous intellects as well.”

The Azure Tower Lord, waving to the assembled mages, soon covered his mouth, muttering.

“But honoring prior engagements comes first, I suppose. Sorry, greenhorns. I must be off. Matters to attend to.”

The mages seemed to think that ‘greenhorns’ was an endearingly playful nickname, used to address fans. He truly meant it, though.

“Well, shall we?”

The Azure Tower Lord flourished his fountain pen in the air. The empty atmosphere froze, drawing a sparkling magic circle in the void.

Unique Mysticism, Crystallization Theory.

The Azure Tower Lord’s unique Mysticism was forced crystallization. As naturally as breathing, he turned the moisture in the air into crystals, drawing a magic circle.

It wasn’t about freezing. That was merely a result; the essence of Crystallization Theory was causing a phase transition to ‘crystal’ and fixing it in place. Ice of a never-thawing permafrost drew the magic circle.

Magic power dwelled within crystal structures. Collapsing that structure to release the magic power was the essence of White Magic. The reason White Magic used gemstones as catalysts was precisely that, while the weakness of Black Magic also stemmed from it.

Because the bodily structures that Black Magic used as catalysts instead of gemstones were infinitely inferior to crystals.

Ice was the same. The structure was decent, but it easily melted, making it unsuitable as a catalyst. If the structure collapsed at an unintended moment, the magic power would scatter completely. That was why ice catalysts were barely used, even in polar regions.

However, the Azure Tower Lord was different.

Ice that wouldn’t melt held magic power and shone. A grand spell was completed with astonishing ease. The magic circle surrounding me, Rancart, and the Azure Tower Lord melted in an instant, manipulating gravity.

“Ta-dah.”

As the Azure Tower Lord closed the fountain pen cap, the ice crystals melted all at once, completing the spell. And our bodies rose without a hint of impact.

The Floating City was a place where artificial gravity was applied. The delicately manipulated gravity guided us to the Azure Tower.

The Magic Tower was not a simple structure. The fact that it took the form of a tower was because it was a structure embodying knowledge.

Knowledge also had lineages. At first, it was just a line drawn in empty ground, but brick by brick, as you piled on knowledge, intellectual wanderers would come. Some among them, seeking a place to rest their reason, settled here and added their own bricks.

Enduring wind and rain day after day, welcoming countless wanderers. A ziggurat built of bricks of intellect. That was the Magic Tower.

The Azure Tower Lord, who led us to the top floor of the tower of blue crystals, the Crystal Tower – shortened to Azure Tower – that mages who explored a hardened world had built, drew a square on the wall with his fountain pen.

Having created a door in the outer wall of the tower, the Azure Tower Lord led us inside. Closing the door, the Azure Tower Lord solidified the scattered crystals and said.

“There. Even a wanted, heinous Black Magician couldn’t find you here. You can rest easy. You’re welcome, by the way.”

‘Me, embracing even wanted Black Magicians. How superior am I? I must be the only mage in this Floating City who considers the circumstances of Black Magicians.’

This is maddening. I am thankful, but I feel my emotions thinning every time he reads my mind. But this arrogance helps me, so let’s just go along with it for now.

“Thank you. Not just saying it because I have to. I’m relieved that there’s someone who understands that I’m a harmless Black Magician from the Military State.”

“Well, I do have the title of Director of the Intelligence Bureau, after all.”

“The Information Bureau?”

“The Federal Information Bureau, yes. A department that gathers and manages information from outside the Magic Federation. Makes one more aware than the average mage, you see. Quicker on the trends, too.”

A hint of pride was visible in the way she subtly displayed her attire and accessories. Even I, a product of the military nation and ignorant of fashion, could tell her ensemble merited such confidence.

“For your information, your closest friend, Rankart, is under my command as well. My subordinate. There’s nothing quite like a Chosen One from the Lower Realm as an informant, you know.”

I glanced at Rankart, who hastily explained, “Don’t misunderstand, me being under her is just a formality. You’re still my superior, Huey.”

“That’s hardly the point.”

Closest friend? What is that even? Business feels more accurate with you.

“I appreciate the assistance, but wouldn’t it be more efficient to lift the bounty on my head?”

“Impossible.”

The Azure Tower Master answered instantly.

“It’s a principle among mages not to meddle in the territories of others. Be it magic or authority. You can’t expect the same common sense as the Lower Realm here, understood?”

‘I wonder if that dimwit even grasps what I’m saying. Rankart said I was ‘more capable’ than him, but I don’t see it. And if I’m from a nation with its intellect as pulverized as the military nation, I might not be able to overcome the dimness.’

She has her own moral code, I suppose. Kindness as self-gratification, not self-sacrifice. Better to stay within the bounds of that code, then.

“Understood…”

As I muttered in a deflated tone, the Azure Tower Master flashed a bright, refreshing smile once more.

“Don’t worry, I wouldn’t betray you. Truth be told, I find it a bit peculiar myself. You’re a dark mage, yes, but once the fact that you come from the military nation is known, they should realize how weak and insignificant your power is. I question the need for a bounty at all, really.”

“Pwahahaha!”

That laughter wasn’t mine. Rankart doubled over, clutching his stomach, and the Azure Tower Master slightly lowered her sunglasses. Rankart waved his hand dismissively.

“Heh heh heh. See, you’re not all that. The Security Bureau is giving Huey a fairer assessment, if anything.”

“What does that mean? Is there information I’m missing?”

“Information? I’ve said it countless times. You’re just not understanding.”

Perhaps it was because Rankart was a Chosen One recognized by the Azure Tower Master. She focused intently and responded to Rankart’s words.

“I don’t see your friend as particularly dangerous. Rather, he seems kind and harmless.”

“The logic of a right-handed person can only judge the world of right-handed people. Right-handed one, you still don’t understand. What kind of power Huey holds…!”

“Hey, Rankart. Keep it down. What power do I even have?”

That shut Rankart up. It’s nice that he’s evaluating me high, but do not do that when other people are around. I need to be perceived as ordinary.

‘It’s one or the other. Either Rankart is being deceived, or I am. It can’t be me, so Rankart must be the one being misled. Even if you have outstanding talent, if your surrounding environment is subpar, your perception gets skewed.’

…In a way, it’s impressive, really.

Having more or less concluded the conversation, the Azure Tower Master clasped her hands together.

“We are adults, after all. Let’s address what needs to be done first, Rankart. The report on the unexplained explosion at the Root Tree.”

“H്യൂi was there. Perhaps Nevida rubbed him the wrong way.”

“Hardly likely.”

I corrected him quickly, and spoke plainly.

Namely, that we – kidnapped by Nevida – had blown up the Root Tree to escape. Sei did, of course.

Naturally, I didn’t mention that I am the human king and Nevida’s primary target. Not exactly a secret, but no need to show all my cards right away.

The Azure Tower Lord pointed out a gap in the story.

“Curious. Why would Nevida abduct you lot?”

“Are you daft? Plenty of reason to abduct H്യൂi. To claim his power, of course…”

“Could you be quiet for a moment?”

He must have thought the reason insufficient. Best to pawn off Sei, then.

“One of my companions is named Sei. Came with me this time, but we were separated when she got caught up in the Security Bureau’s net. Truth is, she carries a relic of a Demon God. I imagine that was the target.”

I meant to emphasize how powerful and dangerous Sei truly was, but it proved unnecessary. The Azure Tower Lord said,

“You speak of the Earth Mother’s relic, then.”

“Oh? You know of it?”

“Of course. Demon Gods wield tremendous influence in the magical world. We monitor their movements carefully.”

If the Magic Tower is a tower of intellect, built diligently with knowledge and magic, then a Demon God is a colossal tower that has existed there since the beginning.

‘But… a relic of a Demon God, at this juncture? Things are becoming quite complicated. Had it not been for me, the situation might have spiraled into chaos?’

“We are already tracking your companion’s movements.”

“Oh, the Intelligence Bureau at work, as expected.”

‘Though they reached out first, surely that is also due to my brilliant intellect and the fruits of the benevolence I bestowed upon the lesser minds.’

Does Sei even realize this? Perhaps I aided her simply because she is so foolish and pitiable.

The Azure Tower Lord produced a small crystal orb. A resonance orb – linking two crystals with perfectly identical structures to transmit vibrations from one to the other. Capable of transmitting voices and even light, these orbs were a symbolic invention of the Crystal Tower.

The Azure Tower Lord held the clear orb close and spoke.

“Secuel. Are you there?”

[Yes, Lady Elisha! Secuel at your service. Is there something you require!]

“That person who visited the Azure Tower last time? I shall see them. Summon them here.”

[Understood! I will check immediately!]

A voice brimming with respect emanated from beyond the orb. Having concluded the order, the Azure Tower Lord set down the orb and said,

“Well. We have some time, so why not have a personal conversation in the meantime.”

“A private conversation, you say? I don’t exactly possess a wealth of knowledge to share…”

“I won’t ask anything too taxing. I’m simply curious about how the commoners of the lower realms live. So, what would you like to drink while we talk? Green tea? Coffee?”

Before I could decline, the Azure Tower Master had already picked up his fountain pen. He sketched a cup in the air, activating his Unique Mana Trait, and a cup, identical to the drawing, materialized with a *poof*. The Azure Tower Master then sprinkled droplets of water essence onto it, gently sliding it toward me. The cup glided slowly across the table, stopping just before me. A barely visible layer of fine ice crystals coated the table’s surface in its wake.

He’d crystallized a path of ice. Such effortless application of his Unique Mana Trait. Not as absolute as the Verdant Tower Master’s unilateral approach, but far more versatile, it seemed. I openly admired it.

“An intricate Unique Mana Trait.”

“Hoo hoo hoo. A blatant flattery, but pleasing nonetheless.”

“Practical, too. Calling it crystallization is an understatement; it’s nearly material creation…if not for the limitations of its material properties, it even surpasses alchemy.”

“I appreciate your analysis. It’s quite invigorating to have my Unique Mana Trait critiqued with such…pleasantry. So, what about yours?”

“Pardon?”

The Azure Tower Master tilted his cup slightly, inquiring,

“Lankart’s ‘friend’, are you? For Lankart, a man with a superior attitude that puts the nobles born in the Floating City to shame, to call you ‘friend’, I assumed you’d awakened your Unique Mana Trait as well…or have you not?”

“I don’t have a Unique Mana Trait.”

“No Unique Mana Trait, nor has he mastered White Magic. A truly unsullied commoner? How very…disappointing.”

A hint of disappointment flickered across his face. What am I that I deserve to be treated this way?

I was about to swallow my bitterness with tea when the Resonance Crystal suddenly flared, relaying an urgent voice.

[Lady Elisha!]

“What is it?”

[A battle has erupted in the Floating City! The one you told the Tower Master to summon, he’s engaged in combat with the Obsidian Tower Master!]

What sort of trouble has Shay wrought now?

*