The Red Tower’s secret chamber, Flaming Soul Palace(火魂宮).
A secluded space, sealed by layers of powerful barriers. A place meant solely for the Red Tower Master.
At the center of the circular hall—its walls painted in an intense red—was a single bed. No other furniture was present. Not because it wasn’t needed, but because anything placed inside would be reduced to ashes within days.
And she was on the big bed. Her red hair flickered like fire, flames flaring and dying down across her skin as autoignition occurred.
This might be what it would look like if fire had taken human form.
Screeeech.
Vermillion’s gaze shifted toward the entrance—the only way in or out.
The door creaked open, and through it stepped a young girl with matching red hair.
Selvier.
“The Red Magic Tower Wizard, Selvier, has come to see you, Red Tower Master.”“Ah, so my little disciple finally decided to visit her teacher, huh? I gave you a wish ticket, and you used it. That means you have to fulfill your duties as a disciple now, right?”
“⋯⋯I’m—”
“Perfect timing. I needed a smart kid to maintain the Magic Circle. Just ten years should do⋯⋯ euung? What’s with that expression?”
Vermillion’s lips curled.
She already knew what Selvier wanted to say. Now that she had found her childhood friend, she must have wanted to stay by his side.
So, she would ask to give up her position as the Red Tower Master’s disciple. After all, Vermillion never allowed her disciples to leave the tower—they were expected to devote themselves entirely to their research.
Her eyes, brimming with mischief, narrowed as she studied Selvier. Like a cat toying with a trapped mouse, the Red Tower Master spoke with a teasing voice.
“I took in a clueless countryside girl and turned her into a decent Wizard. I’m no philanthropist, so why the hell do you think I did that⋯⋯ Care to take a guess, Selvier?”
“⋯⋯to fulfill your ambition.”
“Exactly. You’re quick-witted. To achieve my aspirations, I need capable people. Especially wizards with immense potential—those who have even reached Metamorphosis. So then—”
Sizzle.
A flickering flame danced as an unseen force wrapped around Selvier, constricting her like an invisible grip.
“Why should I let you go?”
“⋯⋯⋯⋯.”
How could she take what she wanted and simply walk away? Only those with absolute power could act on their whims like that. Selvier deserved no such luxury.
And that was why she had to be cunning—why she had to play along.
Watching someone weaker than herself act so brazenly made Vermillion want to remind her of reality. Her red eyes bore into Selvier, sharp as a blade.
A bead of cold sweat rolled down Selvier’s neck. Sizzle. The droplet hit the floor and evaporated instantly
Her throat tightened, but she forced her lips to move, struggling to push out the words.
“⋯⋯Because, in the end, it would be beneficial.”
“Letting go of valuable talent? That’s beneficial?”
“No. Not letting go—sending me to study abroad, Red Tower Master
“Hnng⋯⋯?”
Vermillion smirked as if inviting Selvier to elaborate. She was thinking of making things difficult for Selvier if the answer wasn’t to her liking. If she liked it, she might play along.
How would Selvier try to convince me? Would she say something like she wanted to study the Purple Tower’s magic to develop a Red-Purple Tower hybrid magic? That was ridiculous—it would be entertaining just for the absurdity.
Or would she say she wanted to travel the world, gaining real combat experience? Vermillion could easily shut that down by offering to be her sparring partner. She was curious to see how Selvier would maneuver this.
But Selvier’s response was something Vermillion hadn’t expected at all.
“Because he’s a more exceptional wizard than the Red Tower Master. Isn’t learning from a superior teacher the fastest way to improve?”
“Ahahahahahat-!”
The Red Tower Master Vermillion burst out laughing.
“Ahah! Did you really just say that to my face? Where did you get such courage? You⋯⋯ do realize that I have a rather nasty temper, don’t you?”
“I do. But⋯⋯ I also know that more than anything, you’re serious about achieving your ambition. That’s why I believe you’ll send me to him.”
“Uhhh, alright. You certainly know how to pick the right side. Yes, I had already considered letting you go. If I can get my hands on some assistance from my precious baby because of this⋯⋯ that alone makes it worthwhile.”
Releasing Selvier under those conditions wasn’t a loss—it was an investment.
Vermillion waved her hand dismissively.
“Go. Cling to your ‘Oppa’ like a parasite if you must. But don’t forget—you owe the Red Tower a debt. And if I ever once feel upset⋯⋯ it won’t just end with that.”
“⋯⋯thank you, Red Tower Master.”
Selvier let out a quiet breath of relief and turned away. Somehow, she had managed to convince her. As the tension drained from her body, her legs trembled slightly, and her head felt heavy from the lingering heat.
But she had done it. She could be with Oppa.
Pit-a-pat. Her footsteps echoed softly as she staggered out of the Flaming Soul Palace. Then, as if remembering something, she stopped and turned back.
“Uh⋯⋯.”
“Eung? Do you have something else to say?”
“Red Tower Master⋯⋯ could you get me a prosthetic hand by any chance? I’d be willing to pay—everything I’ve saved up until now.”
“Ah⋯⋯ So, I do have one. Got it from the Golden Tower Master. But it’s incredibly expensive, you know⋯⋯?”
It was beyond costly. Even after offering all her savings, it wasn’t nearly enough. In the end, Vermillion lent her the remaining amount—interest-free.
And just like that, Selvier became a debtor.
===============================================================
Clank. Click. The sharp sound of metal colliding echoed through the air.
“Here.”
“Huh?”
turned my head slightly to look behind me and saw Selvier holding out a sleek, steel prosthetic arm. It definitely had some fine craftsmanship seeing the polished metal shine like moonlight.
There was even the certification mark of the Golden Magic Tower on one corner.
I recognized it immediately. I had searched for equipment like this before when working on the armored hologram project. That thing was ridiculously expensive.
Even as someone managing a Magic Tower’s finances, I had hesitated to spend money on something this costly. Yet, somehow, Selvier had managed to get one on her own somewhere⋯⋯.
“What are you waiting for? Are you not going to take it?”
“⋯⋯you. Where’s the ring and necklace you used to wear?”
There was a high chance that she had spent everything she owned.
Scanning her from head to toe, I noticed the absence of many things that were supposed to be there. Her robe was of lower quality, her backpack had also changed into a more worn-out one with lots of fluff already.
As if sensing my gaze, Selvier said as she waved her hands.
“I sold them all. They were a hassle anyway. Don’t worry about it⋯⋯just take this.”
“⋯⋯⋯⋯.”
Only then did it hit me.
I shuddered as realization set in.
I never told her, did I?
That losing my arm had only been a disguise⋯⋯?
Thump. The crushing weight of guilt dropped into my chest like a meteor. While I was idly carrying on, Selvier had been worrying about me losing my arm, and in the end⋯⋯ she had spent everything she had to buy me a prosthetic arm.
I felt an overwhelming urge to look anywhere but at her.
What should I do? Should I just cut my arm off for real? Should I commit to wearing the prosthetic forever⋯⋯?
No. I had to actually hit my head on the floor. She must have thought I’d lost my arm because of her. Adjusting my posture on the sofa, I shifted onto my knees.
“Selvier, don’t be upset. Just hear me out.”
“⋯⋯why are you saying suddenly something so strange?”
“Look at my arm. Hmph!”
“⋯⋯⋯⋯?!”
Swish.
I restored my arm by reorganizing its stored information. Selvier’s eyes widened as she watched my limb regenerate instantly, sprouting like a bamboo shoot.
Then, as I lowered my head, as if ashamed to face her, she caught the unspoken message behind my gesture. The bloodshot veins in her eyes deepened.
“Explain.”
Her voice was as frigid as an ice spell. I lowered my head even further.
“⋯⋯actually, it was never cut off. Yes.”
“Then why didn’t you tell me once everything was over?”
“I didn’t feel any discomfort, so I kind of forg⋯⋯.”
“Hey.”
Slowly, I raised my head, trying to read the atmosphere. And there was an extremely angry ghost there. The air crackled as the temperature skyrocketed.
A flame erupted from Selvier’s chest, shooting toward mine. This⋯⋯ was the trigger to activate her Metamorphosis.
“W-Wait, Selvier! Let’s talk this through.”
“Metamorphosis(羽化), 『Angel of Flame(焰天使)』──!”
“I-I said I’m sorry! I’ll pay you back! I’ll return to the Purple Tower, withdraw my research funds,and⋯⋯!”
“That’s not the problem here! Do you have any idea how worried I was──?!”
Sizzle!
Beep beep beep beep beep-!
As Selvier transformed into a being of pure fire, the Red Tower’s thermometer blared in warning—forty degrees.
In a desperate attempt to escape, I hurled myself through the open window and tried masking my presence with Pseudo-Illusion Magic: Mirage.
“Stop right there-!!”
“S-She can see me because we’re connected⋯⋯!”
I was eventually caught.
Selvier’s flames didn’t burn me. They weren’t even remotely painful, despite me rolling over the massive bonfire she had ignited. On the contrary, I could feel her raw, unfiltered affection.
But still, I felt the heat. A warmth that bypassed my fire resistance.
“It, it’s hot⋯⋯.”
“I’m not letting you go until you reflect on your actions.”
“But… it’s not so bad, being wrapped in Selvier’s warmth.”
“⋯⋯I said reflect! Reflect on what you’ve done!”
I was forgiven thirty minutes later.
I carefully stored away the prosthetic arm.
===============================================================
With matters at the Red Tower settled, it was time to depart.
Selvier naturally joined the party. She said she earned an indefinite leave from the Red Tower after a duel with the Red Tower Master. It was a relief.
First, I sent a message to Yuna through the Tower Master. I told her there was no need to meet up since I was now traveling with a Metamorphosis force. Instead, I asked her to prioritize gathering my data fragments.
They were far more dangerous than we had anticipated.
That was the plan. And honestly? Seeing how just one module had nearly turned a city upside down, there was no way I could leave the Mima fragment unchecked. We had to retrieve it as soon as possible.
I wasn’t too concerned about the fragments that retained a sense of self. They were still a part of me, after all, and wouldn’t do anything too reckless. The real problem were the punks who had no ego or were deficient.
If they fell into the wrong hands like the bastards last time, it could lead to another disaster.
So, we set out to recover a nearby fragment along the route to the Purple Tower. As for the ones too far out, we decided to leave them for later, once we reunited with Yuna and Yuri.
Even though I called it a “nearby” fragment, there was no telling what chaos it had caused. This meant I’d have to prepare for the trip twice as hard.
Selvier and I packed our things while having an affectionate conversation. Stopping by a nearby city, we stocked up on essentials. Since it would be a long trip.
“This beef jerky is pretty good. Should we get some?”
“It’s too expensive. Let’s go with this one instead—it’s cheaper and has a bigger portion.”
“⋯⋯then what about this rope?”
“Not cost-effective. I think this one’s a better choice.”
⋯⋯Selvier became a penny pincher.
I considered scolding her for being too frugal, but I held back—unless I wanted to get punched by the Angel of Flame as she yelled, ‘And whose fault do you think that is?!’
I also started wondering… was this trip going to be miserable?
Luckily, my friends from the Red Tower came through for us. They pooled their money together and bought a carriage with two horses. It was a lifesaver.
Because otherwise, we’d be walking.
“Funeral Bishop⋯⋯ I’ll never forget the time we spent together!”
“It was a meaningful time, brother.”
With a brief farewell, I climbed onto the carriage. Our next destination was Elphiris, the nearest city, located in the Empire’s southern region. I’d heard the natural scenery there was breathtaking.
One of its defining features was its proximity to the Elven Forest.
It had been twenty years since my reincarnation into this world, and now that I thought about it, although I’d seen Elves and Beastkin before⋯⋯ I’d never seen wild Elves.
Rumors claimed that unlike the Elves who lived among humans, wild Elves wore nothing but leaves. I wondered if that was true.
It would be great if I could collect their models.
Clickity, clackity. Whicker.
As I took the reins, the Red Tower gradually faded from view, eventually vanishing entirely as the horses trotted forward. Selvier gazed back at it, as if reminiscing memories.
Then, as we entered a forest path, she shifted in her seat to face me.
“⋯⋯tell me about yourself. Things I don’t know. If you’re okay with it.”
Selvier was expressing her desire to know me better. She wanted to be closer to me because… she liked me.
still wasn’t sure how I felt about her. But I knew one thing—I didn’t want to push her away. Nor did I want us to drift apart.
After a brief pause, I decided to just act as usual.
“I think I’d be fine if you called me Oppa.”
Selvier’s face immediately flushed. She let out a noise—half frustration, half embarrassment—and fidgeted with her fingers on her lap.
“Keuk⋯⋯ I want to hear about you, O-Oppa.”
“I’d be even more okay if you called me husba⋯⋯ ack!”
“Stop it, stop!”
⋯⋯⋯⋯.
And so, with our playful bickering filling the air, the carriage carrying us rolled down the hill, disappearing beyond the horizon. The sky behind us burned red like embers in the wind.
It was our first step on the journey home.
===============================================================
The North. A Land of Unrelenting Winter.
A place where the cold wasn’t just in the air but also in the hearts of the people. In this frozen land stood the grand estate of Duke Julius, the ruler of the northern territories—the man who led the people of winter.
Ever since the Grand Duke’s Sword Incident, the mansion had remained locked in an ice-cold atmosphere of fear. No one dared to breathe too loudly.
After all, this was a man who had displayed his own father’s corpse for the sake of power. If even family meant so little to him, how insignificant was the life of a mere servant?
So silence became a virtue. Everyone watched their steps, their words, their every move.
That was why it was always quiet. Always cold.
The past had been like this. The present was like this. The future would be the same.
Or so they thought.
Because today… the Grand Duke’s mansion was heating up with unreasonable heat.
“I told you—stop flirting with my husband!”
“Ma’am, I’m sorry but I’ve never flirted with him. Daisy and I are just friends⋯⋯.”
A catfight⋯⋯that was the source of the heat!
***
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