The Serpent’s Head, Not the Dragon’s Tail

The Magic Federation had no capital. The Floating Fortress served a similar role, but it was, in many ways, awkward to declare a castle drifting thirty thousand meters above the ground as its true heart.

Accessibility was, of course, the largest hurdle.

Only the *Sunmin* – the ‘chosen people’ capable of wielding anti-gravity magic – could ascend to the Fortress, needing to observe its trajectory and execute precise spells. No fewer than three *Nasengmun* gates had to be passed, and a single misstep meant becoming lost in the world.

Above and below the clouds. A dizzying difference that inspired nothing but disconnection.

Far from taking responsibility and ruling, it was a celestial fortress that merely looked down and reigned from its lofty heights.

Yet, the Magic Federation could not abandon the Floating Fortress. Nay, it had to strive to avoid being abandoned *by* it.

For it was there, in the Demon King’s Tower, Babylon, and its five subordinate Towers, that they drew upon its knowledge and magic.

[The Descent has concluded! All *Sunmin* of the Floating Fortress can now visit the Descent Zone with the completion of a brief procedure! This Descent Zone is the Celsius Territory, and its rules are Ice Point and Boiling Point or Higher! Refer to the Rule Book for details, and be sure to check the temperature before drinking water!]

The ‘Descent’ had ended.

Nothing eventful had occurred. The Floating Fortress had altered its orbit, drawing closer to the surface, but the *Sunmin* dwelling within only noticed the fact upon hearing the announcement. They showed a perfunctory interest before returning to their own affairs.

Even with the once-yearly Descent, the *Sunmin* of the Fortress had little reason to leave. The shell-covered Fortress was untouched by cold winds or blinding sunlight. There were no threats from disease or wild animals, and even falling was a non-issue. The Floating Fortress, home to the five Towers and the Demon King, was a far better environment than even a magical lineage like Celsius Territory.

And that, too, was also true for those outside the Floating Fortress.

“Waaah!!”

A cheer so intense it made the ears ring.

Cheers erupted the moment they emerged from the Floating Fortress’s outer boundaries. Below, ordinary citizens of the Magic Federation roared their approval towards the descended Fortress.

Eyes filled with longing. Cheers meant to leave even a fleeting impression. Vows to ascend to *that* place, no matter the cost.

All of it, an impassioned cry performed entirely out of their own volition.

Even emperors or kings would receive a less enthusiastic welcome. Though authority might compel cheers, the emotion within would not be joy.

But there was something profoundly moving about the Magic Federation’s Floating Fortress. People yearned for the magic that did not belong to this land, this celestial castle that floated in the distant sky and descended upon them.

In the heart of the Floating Fortress, the massive Tower of Babylon hosted the Descent Festival. The Demon King and the five Tower Lords appeared, and the five Towers extended bridges towards the ground. Gradually growing, the Towers descended until they were a tantalizing distance above the earth.

They didn’t pierce the ground, instead maintaining a constant altitude while flying at the same speed as the surface. It was a spectacle of near-miraculous control.

The exalted Floating Fortress had laid a bridge to the base world below, and people flocked to it.

Magicians from magical lineages, arriving to greet the Demon King, prepared magnificent celebrations to welcome the Fortress. Magic-infused light and mist rose in the Fortress’s shadow, and self-playing instruments blared fanfares.

The Descent Festival. A celebration of joy thrown by the territory chosen by the Floating Fortress that year.

And a little ways away from that. I, exiled from the Floating Fortress, was preparing to descend when I received unexpected news.

“Huh? Shay. What did you say?”

“I’m staying here.”

She’d been gone for a while, only to say *that*? Staying here? What was she talking about?

When I asked her again, Shay pointed to the pentagram emblem pinned to her chest, and answered.

“I… I’ve become a Chosen One.”

“Pardon?”

“To reward your faith, I’ve decided to give it my all too. I sold information I obtained before the regression, earned Chosen One status, and made contact with the Demon God Clan. There’s much information I need to acquire, so I’ll be interacting with them for a while.”

“Pardon?”

“You can climb the Dragon Gate, right? I’ll be waiting!”

While I was busy studying, determined to ascend through the Dragon Gate, Shay had apparently been up to something. It was decided that I alone would descend to the Lower Realm.

Tch. Just you wait. I’ll return to the Floating City in triumph during the Dragon Gate trial.

Avant-garde had wanted to see me off to the ground, but as a member of the Crystal Tower, he had many duties to attend to for the Advent Festival. Receiving only a crystal orb for communication, I descended alone to the land below.

From empty hands we come, to empty hands we return. Inside, I was treated like royalty, but upon departure, not a soul came to bid me farewell.

Will I be alright? A mere outsider like me, can I truly survive in this harsh world? Won’t I simply die of loneliness?

Worried by all manner of things, I descended in the Tower’s elevator, and it was around then, as I forlornly opened the doors to leave, that…

“A Chosen One from the Floating City!”

“A Chosen One has descended from the Floating City!”

“Excuse me! Please, just a moment…! Bestow your teachings upon us!”

A vast crowd was there to greet me.

No one saw me off, but look at how many people came to welcome me. I feel my shoulders straightening already.

*

Avant-garde, and even the Lord of the Azure Tower, worried whether I could ascend through the Dragon Gate. Yet, they didn’t seem to be especially concerned about how I would fare amongst the common folk in the Lower Realm.

Truthfully, I felt a little slighted. One would think they’d give their disciple some travel money when being sent to the Lower Realm, instead of just a pile of useless magic tomes. What if I starved to death in an unfamiliar environment?

“Teacher! Are you experiencing any discomfort?”

Turns out, my worries were for naught.

The Floating City was an object of yearning, and a mage who descended from there was practically a celestial maiden, or rather, a Chosen One. Merely by virtue of having come from the Floating City, I was treated with the utmost reverence.

What’s that? I’m just a commoner and a student preparing for the Dragon Gate? No matter. The other party doesn’t know that.

“The floor is warm, and the room is spacious. I’m satisfied. Is this building vacant? The facilities seem quite good.”

“The facilities are quite adequate, yes? This is the academy where the children of the territory are taught. The local citizens contributed generously to provide it, so that magic lessons could also be given. It’s not the best, but it is sufficient for teaching children.”

“An academy? What about the person who originally taught here?”

“Oh, they’ve gone on a brief vacation. With a Chosen One from the Floating City in our presence, what importance does the village headmaster hold?”

A middle-aged woman, dressed neatly, replied affably. Of course, of course. With me here, some village headmaster is… Huh?

“Pardon? No. Why would you dismiss a headmaster who was doing a good job teaching?”

Surely, they’re not expecting me to replace the headmaster? I’m too busy trying to secure my own future!

“When I asked, the woman waved her hands frantically, nearly hyperventilating.

“Oh, please, don’t misunderstand! It’s not that I’m treating you to a lesson, or anything. It’s just… I hoped the children could absorb some good energy being near you. They say that even being in the presence of a Floating City’s elite instills magic!”

“Certainly, studies have shown that frequent contact with magic makes one more sensitive to it. But it doesn’t necessarily require a mage, does it? I see there are many magical implements here; that level of magic should be sufficient, no?”

“More is always better, and the prettier, the better! Could a mere magical implement ever compare to an elite of the Floating City?”

‘Get her close first! This is the time to pull strings! She might have lived in the Floating City, but she seems oblivious to the ways of the world. If we treat her lavishly and cater to her whims, she might even gift us a grimoire!’

So that was her game.

The Magic Federation: a society where magic dictates social standing. Receiving superior instruction is a shortcut to upward mobility. Reaching the Floating City is an astounding achievement in itself, so the woman running the academy must have decided to latch onto me.

Sweetly coaxing me into teaching. What does she take me for…?

“You must be famished? Oh, forgive my lapse in manners. I should have offered you a meal first, after your long journey.”

The woman clapped her hands, and the door swung open, revealing a feast that threatened to collapse the table. A delicious aroma wafted through the air, and I unconsciously felt my mouth watering.

“Ahem. I didn’t expect anything like this. Perhaps I should at least offer some compensation.”

“Oh, please, don’t say such things! I wouldn’t dream of accepting anything. Please, eat!”

“Then, I won’t refuse.”

I hadn’t had a proper meal while holed up in the Floating City, studying. My eyes widened at the sight of real food after so long. I promptly grabbed my spoon.

I roughly cut a large piece of meat with the spoon and shoved it into my mouth. I was about to chew the steaming meat when I felt a slight crispness, followed by an explosion of savory flavor that filled my mouth. I swallowed the meat almost involuntarily, utterly impressed.

“Delicious…!”

“Isn’t it? This, the Celsius Territory, is famous for its cuisine. I prepared plenty, so please, eat your fill.”

“How did you make this? The texture of the meat is different from anything I’ve had before?”

To cook meat so tenderly in so little time? Was it fried? But there’s no greasy aftertaste. I asked, purely out of curiosity, and the woman responded with a wide smile.

“Oh, it’s nothing special. Just some seasoning, a bit of oil, and a long simmer. Here in the Celsius Territory, meat cooks quickly and deliciously.”

“There must be some secret.”

“Not a secret, exactly, but it’s due to the rules of the Celsius Territory. The boiling point and freezing point are both higher here, you see.”

“Rules…?”

Now that I think of it, the announcement said to familiarize ourselves with the rules of each territory. Boiling and freezing points were above normal. I’d just skimmed over it like any other announcement at the time. Could it be?

“Are you saying ice freezes easily, and water is harder to boil in this land?”

“Indeed. It cooks better than frying in oil! And it’s not just meat; stews and broths are richer in no time at all. Ice sculptures don’t melt easily either!”

Fascinating. It wasn’t as extreme as the gravitational anomalies in the Floating City, but even this seemingly ordinary land could deviate from natural laws? Is the entire Magic Federation like this?

“What about the rules in other territories?”

“Let’s see… In the neighboring Pascal Territory, the wind blows only in one direction, and in the Decibel Territory, sounds carry much farther… They’re difficult magics, so I don’t really know. Surely you know better than I, Teacher?”

Had I asked too many questions? The woman peered at me with a suspicious glint in her eyes. I nonchalantly put another bite in my mouth and replied.

“Do I even *need* to know? I’ll be returning to the Floating City regardless.”

Playing coy will only sow suspicion. I lifted my chin, casually popping food into my mouth, feigning disinterest. Only then did the landlady seem to grasp the situation, her expression quickly softening.

“Of course, you must return! Still, there’s truly no place with better rules than Celsius Territory, you know? The land is warm, the sights are plentiful, the food is delicious; perfect for a bit of rest! Please, rest to your heart’s content!”

“Well, it *does* seem good for relaxing. I’ll concede that.”

I nodded and silently enjoyed my meal. My apparent lack of interest seemed to fluster the landlady, who gave a strained smile before taking her leave.

*Click*, the door shut, and a whisper reached me from beyond the threshold.

“Dear, what do you think? Will he stay?”

“Judging by how he’s eating, I reckon he will?”

“Did you get confirmation?”

“Not yet. But, if he has any shame at all, he won’t eat all that and then suddenly clam up, right?”

“You know nothing! Mages are shameless creatures. Unless the words come from his own mouth, it’s as good as nothing!”

“Then what should we do?”

“We need to coax the words out of him! Offer him money, women, whatever! First, call the academy people!”

In the Floating City, I was merely common scum, but here, I’m treated as a privileged son.

I never agreed with the saying “better to be the head of a snake than the tail of a dragon,” but realizing that power is relative… perhaps this won’t be so bad?