Make Dark Fantasy Great Again

Chapter 58: The Talk of the Tower (1)

Shortly after the Gerhen incident, the Gray Tower was engulfed in unprecedented commotion.

Considering what a master of the tower had done in front of the students, this was only natural.

“Wise and intelligent students. I firmly believe that you will show prudence regarding what happened here today. Please.”

The masters present strongly advised (begged) the students, but deep down, they vaguely knew—the probability of students who had vividly witnessed this chaos suddenly realizing the virtue of silence approached zero.

These were students in their prime, cooped up in the tower and suffering through murderous studies.

Even a student deeply focused on their studies in the opposite building would come running on all fours to get a piece of gossip that began with “Hey, did you hear? Our tower’s...”

The students dispersed from the scene with faces saying, “Of course, Master. You can trust us!” and immediately spread throughout the tower to share their joy.

“Hey guys! Hey guys! You won’t believe what I just saw! You can’t even imagine!”

And so, after days of students sharing their joy repeatedly, they achieved the miracle of 100% information distribution rate, more magical than any spell.

“Did you hear about that?”

“You mean the Gerhen incident?”

This was the conversation that came up whenever students’ eyes met.

“What are you all talking about?”

“Ah! Master Ladros, Master Mortier...!”

“It’s nothing! We have some business to attend to, so we’ll be going.”

“Good grief.”

“How did our brilliant students turn into gossiping housewives from the marketplace?”

The masters couldn’t help but sigh at the sight of such students, but they didn’t take measures like punishment or reprimand. After all...

“By the way, Master Ladros. Have you heard?”

“If you’re referring to the Gerhen incident, I have.”

“Apparently, further investigation has revealed evidence of him stealing the achievements of various students.”

The masters weren’t much different.

The downfall of Gerhen, the head of a noble faction who wielded one of the most influential powers in the tower. And a black mage was involved too?

If one could resist this, they would have become a monk instead of a mage and achieved historical renown.

Of course, if it had been just about Gerhen as an individual, the fiery excitement shooting through the tower wouldn’t have lasted this long.

Someone with the status of a master representing their tower had committed an act shameful by any standard. For the students, who held absolute pride in their affiliation, this wasn’t just an interesting story.

Normally, their curiosity would have flared up briefly before fading just as quickly. For the sake of their pride, if nothing else, they would have soon let it go.

But there was a good reason why Gerhen’s story kept coming up.

“...By the way, Master Ladros. Is it true? That you witnessed that person’s duel before Gerhen’s case?”

“Ahem. As it happened, I had the opportunity.”

“I heard that his opponent in that duel was Miss Henya, is that true?”

“That I cannot reveal. But I will say that it was an incredible duel in many ways.”

“Oh dear. Please tell me a bit more in detail. How exactly was it incredible?”

“...Very well. You may not believe this, but when I saw him then, he was still at the 4th rank. And yet... Ha. At the 4th rank, he could wield aspect shaping. Can you believe it?”

“Perhaps you misunderstood something? Maybe he was already at the 5th rank then?”

“Haa. Let’s leave it at that. This is where we end the conversation, Master Mortier.”

“N-no wait! Master Ladros!”

It was thanks to the other protagonist of the story: Risir.

Stories about him had already been spreading within the tower even before the Gerhen incident occurred. Tales of an outsider mage who had broken black magic that even the masters hadn’t noticed.

And until then, the tower’s perception of Risir had been complex.

-Master Mortier. What do you think of that person?

-It’s preposterous.

-Pardon?

-I hear he couldn’t name his school or family name? And I’m supposed to believe such a person solved our problems? Tsk. This reflects poorly on our tower’s reputation...

While they didn’t openly express hostility like Gerhen, many were averse to his background.

But after the Gerhen incident, the number of such people rapidly decreased until they completely disappeared.

-Master Mortier. What do you think of that person?

-Are you asking me what I think of that Risir fellow now? That young lad who comes and goes in our tower as if he belongs here, despite being an outsider?

-Ah. I’m so sorr—

-You mean that very lad who is proficient in anti-black magic, has achieved the 5th rank at such a young age, and controls mana so well that he even freely wields the techniques of warriors?

-Pardon?

-If you want my opinion, the lad is certain to become a member of our tower. Why else would he come and go as if he belongs here? Don’t they say he respects Master Meltas like a mentor, and is close enough to entrust his elemental to Master Didoa?

There was too much he had shown to discriminate against him based solely on his background. Add to that the disgrace of Gerhen, who had been at the forefront of discriminating against him, and an unusual trend took root in the Gray Tower.

All mage towers were extremely closed and conservative, where discrimination based on background was the norm.

Yet, the Gray Tower showed signs of stepping away from such conventions.

-Thinking about it rationally, what does background matter to a mage excellent in their own right?

Thus, a bizarre tower emerged, where those who discriminated were rather discriminated against.

***When Didoa received a perfunctory invitation to a masters’ meeting, she would refuse. That had been the usual formal and combative little game between her and the others.

But this time, that unspoken promise had been broken, leaving Didoa unsettled. And she wasn’t the only one.

Masters who had long been excluded under the noble faction’s rigid hierarchy now filled the meeting room, occupying the seats.

With the noble faction’s absence perfectly counterbalanced, the meeting began, ushering in a new era.

“Risir.”

Leading the meeting, Master Ladros began with that name as if it were only natural.

“As you all already know, the Church has shown great interest in him after this incident. I am sure you all remember the high priest, Bardros.”

The audience stirred at his statement.

Master Mortier, sitting to Didoa’s left, spoke up with a face full of pride.

“How could we not.”

Didoa couldn’t help feeling puzzled by his behavior.

“...Master Mortier. Why are you so proud?”

“?”

Mortier turned to Didoa, replying as if it were obvious.

“Well of course I’m proud. After all, Risir is our tower’s—”

Suddenly, his eyes snapped wide with realization.

Ah! Come to think of it, Risir doesn’t belong with us!

“Good heavens, I was confused for a moment. I’ve been hearing his name everywhere in the tower these days, you see.”

Meltas, sitting to Didoa’s right, interjected.

“Get a grip, Mortier. It could be disrespectful to Risir.”

“Now what do you mean, Master Meltas?”

Another master, a woman, sitting next to Meltas joined in.

“Isn’t he already a member of our tower?”

“And what nonsense is that?”

“Wasn’t it you, Master Meltas? The one who recommended him as our tower’s Supporter? So long as that proposal passes, he would essentially become a member of the tower.”

“...Strictly speaking, isn’t a Supporter closer to an outsider? That contract can be terminated at any time based on mutual will.”

“!”

The other master made the same face as Mortier.

“Come to think of it, the Supporter could terminate the contract first. I almost forgot because there have been hardly any cases until now. It might not be possible with others, but it’s entirely possible with someone like Risir. Unlike other Supporters, he has nothing to lose.”

Meltas lamented to himself.

Ah! So this is how I looked in Risir’s eyes! He’s making all our tower masters look like fools!

Similar conversations were happening in other parts of the meeting room. After all, this meeting was arranged to discuss Risir’s future treatment.

After listening to the masters’ discussions, Ladros tapped the table, and everyone promptly fell silent.

“Having gathered your opinions, I’d like to make a proposal. Why don’t we appoint Risir as an official mage of our tower?”

“Very well said!”

Meltas and Didoa flinched as Master Mortier boomed with approval, clapping loudly.

Exclamations erupted here and there in response.

“An official mage? That’s an unprecedented treatment.”

“And that’s why it’s fitting for him.”

“That’s exactly what I was going to say.”

“I agree! Let us proceed immediately!”

“When should we set the appointment ceremony?”

“Surely the sooner the better! Before other places can reach out to Risir with unsavory intentions!”

“Then, let’s hold the appointment ceremony as soon as Risir regains consciousness!”

“Agreed!”

Didoa observed them with her typically emotionless eyes.

“Master Meltas. Do you see that?”

“Yes, I can’t believe it either. To think these lunatics are the brilliant masters I know.”

“That’s not it. Everyone likes Risir. Wouldn’t he be happy if I told him about this? I hope he regains consciousness soon.

Oh, come to think of it, I went to Risir’s quarters and made a lot of porridge. The high priest said Risir would regain consciousness soon, so I thought he might be hungry when he wakes up and—”

“I get it, so please calm down, Didoa. If even you start acting like this here, this tower will reach a point of no return.”

Tap-tap. Meltas tapped the table to focus everyone’s attention.

“I can’t help but say something. Gentlemen, ladies. You all talk as if Risir has already become an official mage.”

“But what are you saying, Master Meltas?! Don’t tell me you’re against his appointment?!”

Starting with Master Mortier, the masters began to pour out their resentment toward Meltas.

“Master Meltas! Weren’t you on friendly terms with Risir?!”

“Master Meltas! I must have misjudged you!”

Meltas sighed once again at his colleagues’ behavior before continuing.

“Look here now. None of you are considering Risir’s wishes at all.”

“What do you mean?”

“From our previous conversations, Risir seemed reluctant to become a tower mage. More precisely, he showed aversion to the duties and responsibilities that a tower mage must bear.”

“...!”

Oh!

Come to think of it, Master Meltas knows Risir!

Look! Risir’s esteemed acquaintance is speaking!

Their earlier anger toward Meltas seemingly forgotten, the masters listened with focused attention.

Seeing this, Meltas let out another sigh before continuing.

“Therefore, my proposal is this. Let us offer him the position of an honorary mage instead.”

“He would refuse the appointment as an official mage, but he might accept being an honorary mage. That’s it, right?”

“Then let’s do that!”

“The date for the appointment ceremony—”

“...”

Didn’t I just say to consider Risir’s wishes first before deciding anything?

Meltas rubbed his brow tiredly and spoke to Didoa, who seemed to be the only one maintaining sanity in this place.

“Didoa. What do you think?”

“I’m thrilled to be part of this meaningful moment for Risir.”

“Ah...I see...”

Meltas looked up at the ceiling. He wasn’t sure if Risir had made the tower’s future brighter or darker.

***“And so, I ended up disturbing your rest. The masters were so insistent...I’m ashamed.”

Risir gave Meltas a wry smile—what began as an explanation or excuse had ended in a sigh of lament.

“It’s alright, Sir Meltas. Thank you for your concern. But who were those people just now?”

Risir looked toward the closed door, beyond which stood a woman in a blue robe and an elf in a green robe.

They had entered the room with Meltas but stepped out briefly at his request. He had needed a moment to discuss ‘urgent matters’ with Risir.

“They are investigators from other towers.”

“Investigators?”

“When an incident related to black magic occurs, the tower must report to at least two other towers for verification of the investigation. Those two people requested to meet you regarding that. Once their verification is complete, the black mage incident will finally be concluded.”

“I can see why people are so alarmed about black mages. Why is it so troublesome?”

“It’s a protocol that came about because a necromancer was born due to one tower’s negligence in the past. Despite how it seems, it’s absolutely necessary.”

“When you say necromancer, are you referring to that incident from before?”

“...You’re probably the only person in this world who can recall an encounter with a necromancer so casually.”

Meltas let out a dry chuckle, his gaze flickering toward the door.

“In any case, if you’re fine with it—”

“Right now? Are you serious?”

Fienne interrupted with a sharp glare.

Reading it as a wife’s reproachful look, full of concern for her husband, Meltas grew uneasy.

“Risir seems to be in good condition...Plus, those people have been waiting day after day with only the final procedure left...”

“And that final procedure is talking with me?”

“It’s very superficial in nature. You say ‘I’m the one from the report,’ and they will go ‘So you’re the one from the report.’”

“Then let’s get it over with quickly.”

Crack, crack. Risir got up from the bed and stretched.

“I was feeling like taking a walk anyway. Is it alright if we talk while walking outside?”

“Of course.”

Fienne said her goodbye.

“Then, I’ll be going now too. You’d best brace yourself if your condition has worsened the next time I see you.”

Just as Risir was about to leave with Fienne, Meltas spoke.

“Oh right, Risir. I forgot to mention this.”

“Do tell me.”

“Don’t seduce those two people.”

“?”

“Ah, that sounds a bit strange. What I mean is, please have mercy on the Gray Tower masters. Well, you’ll understand what I mean as you talk.”

As they stepped out, the two investigators’ gazes fixed on Risir. He pointed to the campus spread out beyond the quarters, making a proposal.

“Shall we talk while walking?”

***After walking with the investigators for about 10 minutes, Risir fully understood Meltas’ description of it being a very superficial procedure.

Enna, a master from the Blue Tower, had been jotting notes in her notebook while exchanging perfunctory, businesslike questions and answers with Risir.

Finally, she closed her notebook.

“Is that all?”

“Indeed.”

Meltas, who had been following at a distance, approached and asked.

“How are the investigation results?”

“There are a few points of concern.”

“Do tell.”

“According to the report, his level is the 4th rank. However, his magic power is severely damaged at present, so we cannot confirm it in detail.”

“That’s because—”

“We’ll make the judgment.”

“...As you will.”

Enna fixed Risir with a cold, calculating gaze. Her naturally frosty demeanor had taken on an even sharper edge after learning of his humble origins.

A person with no notable family or prestigious school background reaching the 4th rank at such a young age—especially with such immense anti-black magic abilities?

Enna disapproved, but she refrained from pressing further. After all, the Gray Tower’s innocence was guaranteed by none other than a high priest of the Church.

Once the Church became involved, the investigators’ role was little more than a formality.

“We’ll conclude the investigation. Any objections, Rassiel?”

“None.”

The elf Rassiel answered firmly. As a mage master of the Green Tower, he had been apart from the group for reasons different from Meltas.

Observing the two, Risir thought that if he’d been subjected to an actual interrogation by such folk, he would have suffocated to death.

Meanwhile, Meltas promptly tried to wrap up the matter.

“Thank you both for your hard work. I assume you’ll be returning immediately? I’ll prepare to see you off.”

“No. I still have business left.”

“I have some matters to attend to as well.”

“Oh?”

Meltas was taken aback. He had planned to send them off quickly, seeing how eager they seemed to leave, but what was this?

“What kind of business?”

Could it be just a feeling? The ice-cold air that had always surrounded Enna seemed to have melted somewhat.

“I heard a story while I was here. There’s a genius mage staying at the Gray Tower who reached the 5th rank before even turning twenty.”

“...!”

“I am curious, and would like to exchange insights with this person.”

As soon as Enna finished speaking, Rassiel immediately brought up his business.

“I discovered a mysterious elemental within the tower. I want to commune with it, but it keeps refusing. I heard there’s a human the elemental recognizes as its master. I’d like to talk to that person.”

“...”

Had the other Gray Tower masters heard them, they would have exploded in anger and attacked like raging apes.

Meltas fought the urge to look at Risir.