Chapter 22

[Translator - Clara]

[Proofreader - Gun]

Chapter 22: The Star Instructor, Oscar (1)

The secluded training chamber of the White Tower, once a dungeon used to imprison criminals centuries ago.

The entrance was so dark it felt like ghosts of the dead prisoners might leap out at any moment.

“...So.”

Fran, wearing a deeply troubled expression, spoke.

“That’s the entrance, right?”

“Yeah.”

“And you’re saying I have to go in there?”

“Yeah.”

Indeed, Fran, who had recently advanced to Level 4, was sentenced to a grueling 30 days of closed-door training.

Now, as he stood before the ominous entrance, he couldn’t help but wonder how things had come to this.

“Wait, doesn’t this seem weird? Usually, people do closed-door training either because they volunteer or because they’ve done something wrong and are being punished. I’m neither!”

“But the Deputy Tower Master personally ordered it. It shows how much they believe in your potential.”

“...Is that so?”

“Exactly.”

Oscar lied effortlessly, not even bothering to wet his lips.

If Fran found out it was Oscar who had secretly requested the training, he’d likely refuse outright.

“Think positively. Now that you’ve hit Level 4, you needed some time to organize your newfound insights, right?”

“Well... yeah, but... Ah, whatever. Fine, I’ll go.”

“Safe travels.”

Oscar waved him off enthusiastically as Fran begrudgingly stepped into the training chamber.

By the time they met again, Fran would likely be a formidable Level 4 mage.

‘He’ll thank me later for this,’

Oscar thought with a smile as he left the basement and headed straight to the Deputy Tower Master’s office.

“I heard you called for me.”

“Yes, I have a favor to ask. Did Fran go in smoothly?”

“He made a fuss about not wanting to, but he went in.”

“Haha!”

The Deputy Tower Master laughed heartily, as if picturing the scene.

After a good chuckle, he sipped his tea and continued.

“There’s some good news this morning. We received a letter from the Sirius Trading Company. They’ve offered us free access to their distribution network.”

“...They’re offering it for free?”

The Sirius Trading Company, the continent’s top trading firm, boasted the best logistics network.

Even paying a hefty sum for access would’ve been well worth it, yet they were offering it for free.

Of course, Oscar wasn’t naive enough to believe in pure altruism.

‘They’ve calculated the benefits. Sharing their network doesn’t cost them much, but the value will be immeasurable if the White Tower revives as we hope.

In short, Sirius had nothing to lose from this investment.

‘Their intentions are obvious, but I don’t mind.’

This was like gaining wings with plans to enter the potion market soon.

A mutually beneficial arrangement, indeed.

“That’s certainly great news. Is your request related to this?”

“Oh, no.”

The Deputy Tower Master shook his head, smiling warmly.

“Oscar, would you be interested in taking on a teaching role?”

“...Teaching?”

Oscar blinked at the unexpected proposal.

Sensing his confusion, the Deputy Tower Master elaborated.

“This isn’t a sudden decision. I’ve considered it for a long time—ever since I read your academy thesis, The Application and Advanced Study of Basic Magic.”

It was one of young Oscar’s many papers and the foundation for his later work, A Reinterpretation of Basic Magic.

“However, understanding something and teaching it effectively are entirely different skills, so I held off on the idea until now.”

“Ah.”

Oscar let out a soft exclamation as realization dawned.

“So that’s why...”

“Exactly. Recently, you’ve proven yourself not only as a capable mage but also as an exceptional leader.”

The Deputy Tower Master referred to Oscar’s efforts in convincing the senior mages to collaborate on potion development and mentoring Fran to Level 4.

“You understand the importance of basic magic better than anyone, and you’ve shown both empathy and leadership. If someone like you were to teach a class on basic magic, it would greatly enhance the skills of our mages. What do you think?”

“I could do it, but...”

Oscar tilted his head in puzzlement.

‘It doesn’t add up. Shouldn’t they want me to focus solely on the potion division for now?’

As a Tower leader, maximizing this golden opportunity in the potion market should be the priority.

‘The Deputy Tower Master isn’t one to make foolish decisions. So, why this sudden teaching proposal?’

Oscar concluded that there was more to the story.

“Is there a specific reason why the White Tower’s mages need to grow stronger?”

“...Ha. Sometimes being too perceptive is troublesome.”

The Deputy Tower Master chuckled, clearly impressed, before asking,

“Oscar, have you heard of the Night of the Magic?”

“Yes, I have.”

The Night of the Magic was a gathering of mages from all the Towers, intended to promote skill development and camaraderie.

Centuries ago, the emperor who initiated it had hoped to strengthen bonds between the Towers.

However...

‘That was never going to work.’

Instead, the event devolved into fierce rivalries, leading to its cancellation after only a few years.

‘But if it’s being brought up now...’

Oscar’s eyes sparkled with realization.

“Could it be that His Majesty intends to revive the Night of the Magic?”

“Correct. It hasn’t been officially announced yet, but details will be made public once the new year begins.”

At last, the pieces clicked into place, and Oscar understood why the teaching offer had been made.

“I see. Now it makes sense why you want me to take on this role.”

“I hope my concerns prove unwarranted, but I can’t help being wary of the Black Tower.”

The Black Tower, a rising force with remarkable achievements in recent years, was eager to claim a spot among the Four Great Towers.

‘To them, we’re a thorn in their side.’

Unlike the White Tower, which had languished at the bottom for over a decade.

Yet, it still clings to its position as one of the Four Great Towers, resting solely on past glory.

It must be infuriating for them.

He thought the same.

They'll likely come at the tower head-on when the Night of the Magic begins.

They’ll want to prove they’re better than the White Tower and take away the title of one of the Four Great Towers.

‘So, you want to improve the foundational skills of our mages.’

And the person chosen for that task was none other than himself.

Finally grasping the full picture, Oscar didn’t hesitate for a moment.

“I’ll do it.”

The reason he accepted the offer was simple.

Because he’d rather die than watch the White Tower lose to the likes of the Black Tower.

[Translator - Clara]

[Proofreader - Gun]

* * *

The next day, a notice appeared on the bulletin board of the White Tower.

[Special Lecture Announcement]

- Eligibility: mages of the White Tower

- Lecture Topic: Reinterpreting Basic Magic

- Time: Mondays and Thursdays, 09:00–15:00

- Location: Main Building, 36th Floor, Lecture Hall 4

The gathered mages murmured among themselves.

“A special lecture at this time? That’s unusual.”

“Reinterpreting basic magic? Sounds like something for the Level 3 rookies.”

“Well, the Tower’s finances have improved lately. Maybe they’re finally focusing on nurturing the next generation.”

“If that’s the case, they might’ve invited some renowned instructor from outside.”

Most who enter the Tower after graduating from the Academy are Level 3.

It made sense to invest in them since their growth would strengthen the Tower’s foundation.

However, mid-level mages of Level 4 or higher quickly lost interest after reading the notice.

“If it’s about basic magic, it doesn’t seem like something for me.”

“Agreed. Why would a Level 4 need to relearn basic magic?”

“I’m already swamped brewing potions and running errands. Who’s got time for lectures?”

“Can’t they invest in us mid-level mages too?”

The Level 3 mages cautiously moved in as they left the bulletin board.

Their reactions were different—these were people desperate to break through the wall of Level 4.

“Reinterpreting basic magic… Does that mean they’ll teach us magic we can use right now?”

“Probably. The White Tower’s basic magic has always been weak, so this is good timing.”

“Whatever it is, it’ll be better than training alone.”

And so, days passed, with the junior mages harboring high expectations.

* * *

The 36th floor of the Tower was often called the Campus.

It was an entire floor designed like an academy, complete with a main and annex building, a training field, and even a decent walking path—not as grand as the 10th floor, but still impressive.

This floor, without windows, used artificial sunlight, moonlight, and starlight on the ceiling to distinguish day from night.

Today, a lecture was to be held in Lecture Hall 4 of the main building.

A peculiar lecture with a 100% attendance rate of Level 3 mages.

“Wow, all familiar faces. I thought some of you had died.”

“Mages, you know? Always busy with personal research or training.”

“Still, more people showed up than I expected.”

“I counted 32. Every junior mage in the White Tower, except for one, is here.”

Hearing that only one was absent, everyone naturally thought of the same person.

Oscar Crucian.

That proud genius hadn’t even shown his face here.

“Why lump him with us? He’s still just a Level 2.”

“Calling him a senior feels wrong. Why care if that insufferable guy shows up or not?”

“I heard his personality’s softened lately, though.”

“You believe that nonsense? Enough gossip. Let’s guess who the lecturer might be.”

“They say the Deputy Tower Master invited them personally. Could it be true?”

“Probably. The Tower made a fortune recently selling that flu remedy.”

The mages, who rarely interacted, now chatted freely.

Though no one said it aloud, they all shared the same frustration, stuck at the barrier of Level 4.

In such circumstances, a special lecture felt like a much-needed rain after a drought.

“Honestly, am I the only one excited this is happening in the main hall?”

“Probably everyone here is. This hall used to host seminars even the royal family attended.”

“...Then, maybe the lecturer is someone truly impressive?”

Just as the excited mages whispered fervently, a mocking voice rang out from the topmost seat of the lecture hall.

“Look at you all, getting worked up over nothing.”

A boy with golden hair and a stature small enough to make you doubt his age sneered down at them.

“If they were serious about investing in us, they wouldn’t be offering a lecture on Reinterpreting Basic Magic. They’d be teaching something like Understanding Mana Control or Design and Application of Mana Circuits, like the other Great Towers do.”

“Isn’t that going too far?”

“Right? Talk like that, and people might think you’re from another Tower.”

“Can’t you read the room on a good day like this?”

“...Tch.”

Just as Damian, shaking his head, prepared to deliver another (in his mind) cutting remark—

“Enough chit-chat.”

A flat, emotionless voice silenced the room.

It wasn’t just a figure of speech.

The rustling wind outside the windows, the sound of pens being readied, and even the slight scraping of chairs—all noise ceased as if cut away by scissors.

"......?"

"......!"

It was an eerie, almost mystical experience, as if someone had surgically removed their sense of hearing.

In that absolute silence, only one voice resonated clearly in their ears.

“Nice to meet you.”

A man ascended the platform, his steps calm and unhurried.

“I’ll be your lecturer for Reinterpreting Basic Magic.”

He scanned the room with a brief glance before finishing his introduction.

“I’m Oscar Crucian.”

[Translator - Clara]

[Proofreader - Gun]