The darkness of night broke apart like ice on the verge of melting, and through the cracks seeped a blue dawn in the early morning.
Chairwoman Adrienne let out a faint sigh.
“Ehew······.”
The documents lying on her desk were Deculein’s thesis, and the agreement of the magic world’s “Four Pillars.”
Pouting her lips, she picked up the document.
[ Bercht, the Floating Island, the Volcano, and the Round Table, who maintain the balance of the magic world, have finally, after an exceedingly long passage of years since “Demakan,” reached a common agreement. ]
For reference, the Volcano was an honorific for the Ashes. No matter how much they were disparaged as Ashes—Ashes—, the fact remained that their power formed one axis of the magic world, so in “an incident of this magnitude,” their opinion was recognized as one of the magic world’s qualified voices.
[ ······The magical advancement shown thus far by “Adrienne Sezelian.” The pursuit of truth. The self-denying patience of one walking the path of seeking the Way. Respecting and admiring the magical achievements accomplished through that arduous devotion······. ]
She merely skimmed past the parts filled with all sorts of flowery rhetoric and read the final paragraph.
The conclusion the entire magic world had reached regarding the mage Adrienne.
[ We hereby recognize Adrienne Sezelian as the extant “Second Archmage,” one who has transcended this magic world and will remain eternal and undying in the history of the continent. The investiture ceremony will be held next spring······ ]
A Great Mage of the Eternal rank.
The second Arch-Mage, successor to Demakan.
A written agreement announcing her ascension to that pinnacle.
“······Adrienne the Second?”
Adrienne called to the puppy beside her.
—Woof! Woof!
She held the dog, who hurried over at once, in her arms. Stroking its soft back, she wore a small smile.
“Now······ I’m officially no longer ‘human.’”
Adrienne had received recognition not only from Bercht and the Floating Island, but even from extremely closed-off groups like the Ashes and the Round Table. In other words, with nothing but pure magical talent, achievement, and power, she had drawn out “the common agreement of the entire magic world.”
That was what an Eternal Great Mage was—an inherently terrifying existence.
“People will start coming soon, right? They’ll bombard me with questions.”
—Woof! Woof!
“······Then I’ll have to leave soon. I won’t be able to stay long.”
The secular world had been so very fun.
Deculein. Julie. Dikaillen. Louina. Giletheon. Cielia. Cynthia. Idnik. Rohakan. Zeit. Ihelm. Kreto. Ganesha, and so on······
Countless names and faces that had once entertained her surfaced in her mind.
“······.”
Adrienne approached the window frame and looked down at the ground below the Magic Tower.
It was not even six in the morning yet, but reporters had already gathered.
“······All right!”
She smiled brightly at Adrienne the Second in her arms.
“I’ll be back, so wait for me~!”
—Woof! Woof!
The puppy answered cheerfully.
* * *
Early morning.
Countless crowds from across the continent gathered at the Magic Tower. Not only reporters from every sort of media outlet, but undergraduates of the Imperial University, mages, and knights all watched the rare spectacle from nearby, or from afar.
—Does your term as Chairwoman end this year?!
“Yes! I think I’ll wrap things up in winter or spring and complete the handover, too!”
The only subject being captured by countless cameras was Chairwoman Adrienne. Having officially risen to the rank of “Eternal,” she was buried amid the crowd.
Of course, it was a course of events everyone on the continent had expected, but witnessing that historical moment with their own two eyes was by no means a common experience.
—I understand there are two candidates for the next Chairperson. What will the process be?
“What process would there be? It’s just proceeding as usual! We’ll choose the more suitable person of the two!”
Solda Epherene also watched the scene from the third floor of the Magic Tower. It was easier to see from inside than outside, where it was already a sea of people, and the interview could be heard clearly as well.
—The thesis recently published by Mage Ihelm, “A Quiet Inquiry into Auxiliary Magic and the Path to Its Reform,” has been the talk of the magic world day after day. Will such personal achievements be reflected in the selection of the next candidate?
“Ah! Yes, of course! I read that thesis of Ihelm’s, too! It was incredibly good!”
“I read that thesis too—,” “It was incredibly good—.”
Every time she said a word, the reporters busily wrote it down.
—Professor Deculein is also said to be presenting a thesis very soon!
“Ah~ yes! That one?! Professor Deculein has already submitted it!”
“······!”
At that moment, Epherene’s ears perked up. She crushed the empty paper cup she had finished drinking from.
“He also made absolutely sure to register the author!”
Adrienne said that while holding back a laugh. In her own mind, she had inserted a “foreshadowing.” The foreshadowing that “he made absolutely sure to register the author.”
The reporters asked back in loud voices.
—How was it?
“Mm! I still haven’t understood all of it, either! The volume was enormous! And it’s all theory!”
—Are you saying it wasn’t very good······.
“No! That’s absolutely not it! Ihelm produced definite results, and Deculein······.”
Adrienne pondered for a moment, as if choosing her words, then nodded.
“Ah, it’s an extraordinary possibility! For now, it’s only theory, but if that theory is real! If it can truly be applied to magic!”
Click, click—! Click, click—!
Camera flashes burst without end. To Epherene, who had all her nerves focused on Adrienne’s mouth, those countless sounds were nothing but irritating.
“If it really turns out that way!”
Adrienne raised the edge of her hand.
In that instant, it was as though time had stopped.
Thousands upon tens of thousands of eyes, noses, and mouths. Everyone in that space focused on her.
Enjoying those countless gazes, Adrienne said,
“Professor Deculein may become an ‘Elder,’ you know?”
“?!”
Elder.
At that word, Epherene’s eyes widened.
The mages of the Magic Tower who had been watching the interview with her reacted similarly.
—By Elder, do you mean an Elder of the magic world?
“Yes!”
In the magic world, an “Elder” did not necessarily refer only to Bercht, but was also a metaphor for the origin of a new school—in other words, “one who created a new school of magic.”
For example, just as Ihelm was the head of the Dukan School, but its Elder was “Dukan,” who had passed away fifty years ago.
—Are you saying Professor Deculein will become the progenitor of a school?!
“I’m saying there’s that possibility~! But the thesis is still far too difficult! Even I haven’t understood it yet! I have to go study!”
“······.”
Watching, Epherene ground her teeth.
······Elder? Did you just hear that? Deculein is an Elder?
Wow, then doesn’t that mean he’s basically confirmed as Chairperson? What kind of thesis is it? If even the Chairwoman finds it difficult······.
Every voice rippling inside the Magic Tower grated on her nerves. She disliked the snickering laughter and the chatter among themselves.
“Elder······.”
Epherene murmured blankly. Then, for a moment, she sank into thought.
If Deculein became an Elder.
If he soared brilliantly on the strength of my father’s achievement, while burying my father’s name down at the very bottom.
Just imagining it twisted her stomach. As if her intestines were being wrung.
“······.”
Epherene took out a single letter from her coat.
Her father’s handwriting, saying, “There is research I prepared for you—.”
She read that sentence again, then stared into the distance with hollow eyes.
“Yes! There really is something special about that thesis! First, I’ll conduct the initial review, then submit it to the Floating Island~!”
The interview was still ongoing.
However, “that research” Father had said he would entrust to me was in someone else’s hands, not mine.
* * *
······Today, I was plagued by reporters starting from the car on my way to work. It was because of the “thesis submission” rumor Adrienne had released in advance.
—Professor, do you intend to become an Elder!
—What do you plan to name your school?
—As a strong candidate for Chairperson, please say a word!
—The Round Table will not stand by and watch.
Questions with no context whatsoever flew in through the car windows, and after barely escaping the path where senseless cameras swarmed in, I finally arrived, with difficulty, on the seventy-seventh floor of the Magic Tower.
“Professor!”
Allen, whom I ran into in the corridor, came running over at once.
Without a word, I entered my office. Allen followed, holding a bundle of papers in his arms.
“Professor!”
“······What.”
I asked while taking off my coat with Psychokinesis, and he cleared his throat for some reason—ahem, ahem. Then, in a deliberately low voice, he asked,
“What is your purpose in becoming Chairperson?”
“······.”
I stared at him in silence. Allen glanced at the papers in his arms, then spoke again.
“You are slow to answer.”
“······What are you doing?”
“These are expected questions for the hearing. I tried writing them up—”
“Enough.”
“Pardon······? Wouldn’t we need this sort of preparation too? I heard Mage Ihelm is even staying at the Imperial Palace to prepare.”
“There is no need.”
If it had been the original Deculein, perhaps.
He would have focused not on this kind of preparation, but on schemes to push Ihelm into a pit of ruin.
“Still······.”
“I said enough.”
Knock, knock—
At that moment, the door opened with a knock.
“······Professor. You’re here.”
It was Epherene.
She approached with a distinctly sunken air and placed some documents on my desk.
Bow—
The way she lowered her head and turned back again was unlike usual. She drooped like a sponge soaked with water, as though moisture dripped with every step she took.
“······.”
However, when it came to asking why, I was far too indifferent. In truth, I did not particularly care, to some extent.
It was a flaw in my character.
“Miss Epherene. I wonder if something happened······?”
Allen, on the other hand, was a little different.
“Allen.”
“Ah, yes?”
He turned back to look at me with a face that was “pretending to be worried.”
“Leave now. I have work to do.”
“Ah, yes. Then······ the expected questions and answers.”
“I’ll check them when I have time.”
“Yes, sir! Good luck, Professor!”
* * *
Adrienne was the Chairwoman of the Magic Tower.
In other words, she was the head of the directors.
Therefore, directors existed within the Magic Tower. As its formal name was the Imperial University Magic Tower, a total of thirteen people, including the university dean and those with ties to the Imperial Family, took turns serving as directors of the Magic Tower.
“······Congratulations, Chairwoman.”
They showed the utmost courtesy to the Chairwoman. For Adrienne, whose promotion to Great Mage was not far off, even the Emperor’s authority could no longer reach her.
At least until she left this Magic Tower, she was an untouchable existence.
“Thank you! Please sit!”
Adrienne gave a small laugh and had the directors seated.
The special conference room on the hundredth floor of the Magic Tower had been convened today on the topic of the “successor Chairperson.”
“Ihelm and Deculein. Both are sufficiently suitable talents, but the more likely candidate is, as expected, Deculein, who has served at the Magic Tower for nearly ten years.”
One of the thirteen directors, “Druman,” stepped forward as the presenter.
Adrienne also nodded.
“Yes, well! I suppose so! But you never know what might happen! First, candidate evaluations should be done after the hearing is over!”
“You are correct. We are considering the hearing schedule for Monday, two weeks from now.”
“Mm~ it’s good to do it quickly! If there’s anything shady, uncover it right away! Let them explain themselves! The vote or final meeting should come after that!”
At that, everyone’s expressions showed agreement. Satisfied, the Chairwoman brought up the next item on the agenda.
“But have the two candidates submitted their ‘witness requests’ for the hearing?!”
“Yes. Mage Ihelm has requested a total of three witnesses, and Professor Deculein has none.”
“None?!”
Adrienne’s eyes went round.
“Yes. However, since at least one is mandatory, we suspect Professor Louina or Professor Relin will likely come forward as his witness.”
“······Mm. Give me that witness list.”
“Here it is.”
Director Druman held out a document envelope. Since it was classified, it had been sealed with magic.
Rip—! Adrienne tore it open and asked,
“It’s undisclosed who requested whom as witnesses, correct?!”
“Yes. As a rule, it will be revealed on the day itself.”
“I see.”
Nodding roughly, she looked at the [ Witness Request Form ]. She checked the names written on the list.
“······Huh?”
Had she seen it wrong? She rubbed her eyes and looked again.
It was the same.
“This······.”
Adrienne pointed to a certain paragraph with her finger and looked around at the directors.
“Yes. We were quite surprised as well. To think he would request a newcomer who has not even been in the Tower for a year as a witness.”
At their words, Adrienne blinked for a moment.
She blinked vacantly—blink, blink—like a goldfish, and then, suddenly.
“...Pffhehe!”
A strange tickle shot up from her throat. It was a smile that slipped out before she knew it.
“Hehe! Ahaha! Ah, this is... pfft!”
Like a happy child, or a balloon losing its air.
Adrienne simply laughed as she gazed at the [Witness Application].
“Ahahahaha...!”
* * *
The schedule for the Imperial Magic Tower’s hearing was also announced at the Imperial Palace.
“A candidate for chairman, is it...”
Sophien rolled about on her bed as she looked at the document.
The hearing for the next chairman candidates of the Imperial Magic Tower: Deculein and Ihelm.
Keiron said,
“Yes. That is correct.”
“Hmm...”
The Emperor stroked her chin in thought.
“...Hmph.”
What sort of politics and schemes would unfold? What attacks would they exchange? How filthy a mudslinging pit would it become?
Just thinking about it made it a profoundly intriguing bout.
“Good. I shall go as well.”
“...Pardon?”
Keiron asked back. Sophien gave a faint grin.
“I said I shall attend as well.”
“Ah. As a cat, Your Majesty?”
“No. In person. Myself.”
“...”
Keiron found it difficult to adjust to Sophien, who had recently begun going out.
“If it is a hearing for the next chairman, then it is more than sufficient cause for me to attend. Was that Magic Tower not mine to begin with?”
“...Your Majesty’s mere attendance may tip the scales.”
Keiron conveyed his opposition in a roundabout way. Sophien glared at him through narrowed eyes.
“Why?”
“Naturally, because Deculein is Your Majesty’s tutor mage.”
“Hah. Yes. Deculein is my tutor mage, but Ihelm is also an imperial mage directly under the Imperial Family whom I have met dozens of times while coming and going from the palace. What problem would that pose? Moreover, why should my opinion not be reflected?”
“...”
“That Magic Tower is mine. Mine, and no one else’s. Hm? I said it is mine.”
“...”
“I am seeking someone to govern what is mine in my stead. And you say I should not attend?”
“...No, Your Majesty. My thoughts were short-sighted.”
Keiron nodded with a sigh.
The lazy Emperor, precisely because she was lazy, never withdrew a decision once she had made it.
“Hmph!”
Sophien twisted the corner of her mouth as if finding it absurd.
* * *
...For the past ten days.
The entire topic of conversation in the Magic Tower had been the “hearing.”
Adrienne’s ascent to Archmage had been inevitable anyway, so the more uncertain hearing between Ihelm and Deculein drew everyone’s attention.
“Will it be Ihelm, the outsider who rolled in, or Chief Professor Deculein? Right now, Deculein has the advantage at eight to two.”
Julie said as she looked at the Wizboard. At the moment, the Wizboard was displaying the opinions of the Magic Tower’s mages.
“But apparently Ihelm is unusually confident. He’s even requested three or four witnesses. Did he use all his connections with the Imperial Family and his house?”
Epherene gave no response.
“They say Deculein must think it’s already decided, since he only has one witness and doesn’t seem to be talking much with his family either.”
“...”
“So, if Deculein loses, they say it’ll be because he let his guard down. Ah~ I wonder what’ll happen tomorrow. I’m curious.”
Epherene set down the pen she had been scribbling with and glared at Julie.
“Julie.”
“Hm?”
“I’m not interested.”
“...O-oh, okay.”
Cold and curt in a way unlike her. Julie flinched and put down the Wizboard.
“...”
Epherene looked at the clock.
7 p.m.
The hearing proper was tomorrow, though she did not know whether it would last several days and nights, but the preparations began today.
“I’m going.”
“Y-yeah. See you tomorrow~”
Julie waved while gauging her mood, and Epherene got onto the Magic Tower’s elevator.
Beep—
When she held the card she had received from Ihelm up to the elevator, the “Special Floor” was activated. The destination was neither the first floor nor the seventy-seventh.
Wooooong—
The elevator rose steeply. Her ears clogged from the sudden change in pressure, and she swallowed to clear them.
Ding—!
The elevator arrived. Beyond the slowly opening doors stood Ihelm.
“Oh, you’re here.”
“...”
“Ah~ What a shame. This hearing. It would’ve been even better if it were public. Don’t you think?”
“Don’t get the wrong idea.”
Epherene glared at him. As she had eaten nothing recently, her gaze was full of venom.
“I’m not on your side. I can attack you too.”
“...Yeah. I know.”
Ihelm answered with a shrug.
“It’s just that your situation and position are favorable to me. I don’t expect anything more than that.”
“...”
“If you understand, go wait. There’s a separate [Witness Waiting Room]. It’s nicer than a five-star hotel. I’ll call you when it’s time, so rest comfortably.”
“Solda Epherene. Please follow me.”
Whether he was Ihelm’s butler or secretary, in any case, his trusted aide approached Epherene.
Epherene shot Ihelm a sidelong glare and followed the aide.
“This is the place. Please wait here. The detailed schedule will be announced later.”
She sat down on the bed in the room he had guided her to. She stared blankly at the wall.
Tick— tock—
The hollow sound of the second hand.
Tick— tock—
A resonance that seemed to spread through her whole body.
“...I can’t breathe.”
Unable to endure the silence, Epherene took out her old, worn travel bag.
From among the letters from her father that filled it, she picked one at random.
“Dad...”
Sentences written on paper.
Reading each letter as if savoring it, she slowly calmed her heart.
“...Is this really the right thing?”