The world was suffocatingly dark.
Even with the sun in the sky, it was never truly day. Even with the moon shining above, it was never truly night. In the life she had known, day and night were equally pitch black.
What was the joy of living? Why had she been born into this world? What path should she take from here? Why was existence filled with nothing but suffering⋯⋯?.
But such thoughts were a luxury.
To survive, she had to be constantly wary of her neighbors. If she didn’t want to be sold off to perverted nobles or lunatics, she had to kill her own family. If she lacked the cruelty, she would die. And in the end, the world would only sneer, calling the victim a fool⋯⋯.
She never learned what she should have. Instead, she was taught what no child ever should be.
“Our Selvier is born with such beautiful hair.”
“This will be useful for our family. We might even get gold coins for it.”
“I’ll make sure to sell you somewhere nice. If you become an adopted daughter of a noble family, your life will flourish. Even if the nights are a little painful, isn’t that a small price for happiness?”
These were the words Selvier heard from her mother and father.As a child, she hadn’t realized what was wrong with these sentences. It was simply the way things were in her hometown. Family, neighbors, friends—everyone thought the same way.
Since parents worked hard to give birth and raise children, it was natural for children to be sold to repay that debt. They had to repay the debt of their upbringing even if it meant offering their own bodies.
Those who failed to meet their quotas starved. If they couldn’t afford to raise their own child, they had to steal and sell someone else’s.
And if they didn’t want to be sold themselves, they had only one choice—to become the seller instead⋯⋯.
At the village outskirts, children whispered among themselves.
“My dad has a huge scar on his face. They say he got it from killing his own father. Dad’s been eyeing me recently⋯⋯ I might have to kill him first before he sells me off.”
“I-I’m just going to be⋯⋯ sold. I’ll find my real parents there, and we’ll live happily together. I don’t want to stay in that house anymore⋯⋯.”
“Your mom has been keeping an eye on you, Selvier. I think she’s planning to sell you off in secret. I’ll let you know⋯⋯ so you have to tell me what your brother is planning too, okay?”
These were not the kinds of conversations children should have. But here, no one found it strange. This village had been built as a breeding ground—an isolated farm for an endless supply of living sacrifices.
In the early days, Illusion Magic had dulled the villagers’ morality, stripping them of resistance and turning them into nothing more than passive livestock. But after generations, magic was no longer necessary.
This long-standing evil had long since embedded itself into their culture. It had become so deeply rooted that no outside force could shake it. They had learned to accept it. To believe in it.
On the surface, the village appeared ordinary. Peaceful, even. But beneath that fragile illusion, it was rotten to the core.
Selvier’s hometown—Swallowtail Village—was utterly insane.
Everyone lived with their minds shackled, their souls blind. No one sang of blue skies, the chirping of birds, or the happiness of life.
The world was terrifyingly dark.
But she hadn’t known it was dark—because she had never seen light.
That was why.
“So your name is Selvier? Nice to meet you. My name is ▒▒▒ and⋯⋯.”
That boy was different from anyone she had ever met.
He was the one who showed her a world bursting with color.
Selvier’s sun.
⋯⋯⋯⋯.
When you stare at the sun, its afterimage lingers behind your eyelids, even when you close your eyes. The brighter the light, the longer it remains. Maybe that was why.
Why his image flickered in her vision, even in the dark. Why the moment they first met replayed over and over in her dreams.
Rustle. She wiped her eyes.
Even now, as she tossed aside her blanket and sat up in the dormitory of the Red Tower… Even now, as tears welled up in the darkness beneath her eyelids…
The afterimage remained.
Because it had been so bright.
===============================================================
Beep beep beep beep.
Beep—!
Selvier slammed her palm down on the phoenix-shaped alarm clock to stop the noise.
Even with the academy’s temporary break disrupting her schedule, Selvier had no intention of letting time go to waste.
She would stay determined, honing her skills and working to earn the Red Tower Master’s recognition—until she became her direct disciple. And then…
She would use the ‘Wish Ticket’ granted to the Master’s disciples to ask for one thing: to find her childhood friend.
Every effort she put in brought her closer to their reunion. So how could she afford to rest?
Fortunately, Selvier had talent.
While she might not be fated to ascend to the pinnacle of magic as an Archmage, she was still regarded as someone capable of carving her name into history across the continent.
Because she was already a 2-Star mage, a genius who had already achieved both『Tuning』 and 『Breakthrough』.
Her ability to sense and manipulate mana was exceptional, and her quick thinking, honed through experience, made her a formidable mage. Even tentacles didn’t faze her anymore, thanks to a certain crazy wizard who had thrown her into all sorts of unimaginable situations.
The only thing holding her back was the amount of mana.
But even that had expanded considerably due to the Academy’s power of ‘unconditional growth.’ Whether she had finally reached 『Fill』 remained to be tested, but…
Maybe⋯⋯ she could truly aim to become the Red Tower Master’s disciple.
“No, I will do it.”
Clenching her fist, Selvier stepped out of her room.
With Fire Magic being researched in nearly every corner, the heat was unavoidable. In the past, there had been instances where heat stroke cases flooded the Tower.
But as time passed and magic advanced, and after the infamous Chain Spontaneous Combustion Incident—where three or four wizards were nearly roasted alive (the Priests managed to save them, so they lost some money but didn’t die)—a realization struck
“If we want to push firepower beyond this, we need to reconstruct the Tower first.”
So they did. Experts were brought in, and the Tower was redesigned.
An open-concept design that allowed heat to escape.
Large windows were installed in the corners of the Tower, and both the hallways and rooms adopted terrace-style layouts, significantly reducing the risk of accidents—though privacy became somewhat compromised.
It was slightly annoying when passersby tried to sneak peeks inside, but the blistering waves of heat rolling out—like a blacksmith’s forge—usually drove them away before long.
To further address the issue, the Red Tower initiated an annual wizard exchange with the Blue Tower.
Officially, the program aimed to foster cooperation and advance research between the two towers. In reality, the Red Tower just needed human coolers, and the Blue Tower needed human heaters.
Under this system, Blue Wizards sent as exchange scholars received full research support while their cold affinity helped regulate the Red Tower’s temperatures.
It was through this exchange program that Selvier had her first meeting with ‘Snow White’—the person she considered her one-sided rival.
“⋯⋯Huuu.”
Selvier fanned herself with one hand as she walked. When she checked, the thermometer showed 36 degrees Celsius, which was slightly hotter than usual.
This could mean one of two things.
Either the Red Tower Master had activated 『Sun』… or today’s researchers were particularly fired up in their research.
The latter was more likely. She had good reason to believe so. Because—
“You are now the『Flame Funeral Director』. While even villains do not deserve punishment merely for being born, they must be freed from their corruption⋯⋯ let your flames burn with sincerity and warmth, guiding their souls to liberation.”
“Y-Yes⋯⋯! I shall burn not to kill, but to save. My flames will be gentle, silent in reverence. I will uphold the teachings of the Flame Funeral Bishop.”
“No. Do not blindly follow my words—conduct your own funerals. Crying, raging, mourning, praying—all are excellent funerals. But never forget the greater purpose: honoring the living⋯⋯ walk the grand path, guided by your own convictions.”
“Thank you, Funeral Bishop, thank you…!!”
A man with black hair and crimson eyes—
A man like a crow.
That bastard.
No, that bishop—no, that professor—was the one who brought a new wind to the Red Tower.
The Red Tower had always been dedicated to one pursuit: maximizing the firepower of Fire Magic. Their ultimate goal was to create an eternal flame akin to the sun, an infinite energy source.
Most wizards who joined the Red Tower chased after stronger and more destructive flames. While there were some oddballs who pursued killing power, or researched plant growth, they weren’t part of the majority.
But ever since that troublemaker professor arrived⋯⋯.
“I made this flower-pattern firework!”
“How beautiful. You deliberately blurred this section of the magic circle, didn’t you? To create that soft, blooming petal effect.”
“Heuuuuck! How did you know, Newbie?”
“I could tell at a glance. Want to try something more fun? When magic circles collide, efficiency goes to hell, but the effects become super pretty. So, if you do this⋯⋯.”
It was a side-grade—an alternative approach.
Yet, wizards pursuing research completely unrelated to firepower enhancement were multiplying. Fast. Even now, their numbers continued to grow.
“⋯⋯Tch.”
For some reason, even watching them made her irritated.
It wasn’t like their pointless research affected her in any way. The Tower’s temperature had risen by a few degrees, but that was inevitable no matter what was being.
Was it her own relentless drive for self-improvement that made her resent these lazy people who seemed to be playing with magic without a care in the world? Or⋯⋯.
“Wow, it’s really pretty. Wa⋯⋯!! Um, I’m going to brag about this to my friends real quick, Newbie!”
“Melona1 when you come back!”
“I don’t know what that is!”
…Was it because they were laughing so happily, and were having way too much fun?
I, can play too.
If I had someone who truly understood me by my side—if a certain kind boy with black hair was there—I could spend all day researching magic with a smile.
No. Let’s not be shaken. Selvier made up her mind. It was just like her childhood friend had said.
No matter the situation, she had to keep moving forward.
She had no intention of straying from her path.
===============================================================
At the heart of the Red Tower’s first floor was a massive bulletin board. The wizards of the Tower had two names for it—the『Gate of Advancement』 or, sometimes the 『Gate of Despair』.
Because anyone who completed the tasks posted there would earn the right to become the Red Tower Master’s disciple.
The 『Gate of Advancement』 challenges were divided into three categories: Theory, Combat, and Inspiration.
Theory tasks required advancing the fundamental principles of magic—whether by increasing efficiency, creating new spells, or elucidating previously unknown magical formulas.
“If these magic circles align properly, firepower could increase by 1.35 times.”
Inspiration tasks involved introducing entirely new concepts or making contributions that could accelerate the Tower’s research.
“I think an area-of-effect spell would be perfect for Fire Magic, Senior. If we combine physical and magical fire, I think it should work. It’s a hit.”
Combat tasks tested raw ability, requiring wizards to prove their strength by slaying famous monsters or eliminating threats to the Red Tower.
“If I can just solve the mana issue, I might be able to go toe-to-toe with a Basilisk⋯⋯.”
“⋯⋯⋯⋯.”
Even completing a single task was an extraordinary feat. If it were easy, everyone would have become the Red Tower Master’s disciple by now. That was why so many wizards lamented their lack of talent, and it was called the 『Gate of Despair』.
But this professor fucker… was doing all three.
Hiding his true identity and sneaking into the Red Tower pretending to be a newbie, and then showing off his talents to his heart’s content!
It was infuriating.
With her temper flaring, Selvier threw a sharp one-inch punch straight into the side of the Crazy Wizard, who was in the middle of excitedly babbling about theory to another wizard.
Thwack!
“Uck⋯⋯!! S-Suddenly, why?!”
“What are you doing? What the hell are you even doing here?”
“I already explained, didn’t I? I was torn into thirty pieces and⋯⋯.”
“Can you say something that actually makes sense?!”
Crazy Wizard smacked his lips, looking slightly embarrassed. After gauging Selvier’s expression for a moment, he suddenly asked,
“Have you been eating properlythese days?”
“⋯⋯What?”
“Well, you seem especially irritable lately. The Tower’s hot all year round⋯⋯ How about eating some tomatoes or grapefruit? They’ve got this good little fairy called Vitamin C in them, so they’re⋯⋯.”
Thunk.
Selvier froze, eyes widening.
Crazy Wizard kept rambling in front of her, but his voice faded into the background. Because one particular word had completely hijacked her thoughts.
What did he just say?
Vitamin C.
No one—absolutely no one—knew that strange word.
She had asked Professor Alejandro at the Academy. She had asked her seniors in the Red Tower.
None of them had ever heard of it.
There was only one person who had ever mentioned that word.
Her childhood friend.
Crazy Wizard’s words overlapped with an old memory of her friend’s, echoing from the past.
‘Eating a balanced diet is important, Selvier. There are tiny fairies called nutrients in food, and it’s good for your health to supplement the ones you’re lacking harmoniously. I’ll give you a list so—‘
“There’s something called whole food. Of course, I’m not saying it’ll solve everything, but eggs and tomatoes are⋯⋯.”
“⋯⋯I’ve been eating them. Tomatoes.”
“Eung?”
Crazy Wizard’s expression turned into a silent how do you know that?
Selvier felt the exact same way.
How did the professor know about this strange word that only she and that boy knew?
Her thoughts tangled in confusion.
Did the professor… somehow know her childhood friend? Were they acquaintances? Or… had he been closer than she realized all along⋯⋯?
Black hair, red eyes.
No. It couldn’t be. Perhaps—
This suspicious, eccentric, and sometimes completely unhinged professor. The possibility that he might be her childhood friend from her memories was──
“If you’ve been eating tomatoes, then maybe it’s not a nutrition issue. Maybe it’s just stress. Or sugar levels? Should we go get something sweet?”
“—There’s no way that’s possible!”
“⋯⋯⋯⋯.”
Selvier yelled, then bolted from the scene at full speed. Her head felt like it was going to explode.
No. No way. That was impossible.
If that was true⋯⋯ it would mean he didn’t recognize her.
Left alone, Crazy Wizard timidly muttered to himself with a wounded heart.
“⋯⋯Did you really have to hate it that much⋯⋯?”
It was summer.
Footnotes
1. korean meme, asking to buy ice cream, Melona, on the way back to a person who is going outside. ***
https://ko-fi.com/genesisforsaken